Fracture-Dislocation of the Lumbar Spine in an Abused Child

Doctors report a spinal fracture in a 15-month-old girl due to child abuse. The girl was brought to the hospital with leg paralysis, an enlargement over her lower back, lethargy, and red facial lesions. Initial X-rays showed no spinal deformity, and the girl was treated for suspected infection. On subsequent evaluation, doctors found a near-complete spinal fracture, and treated her with surgery and casting. Her mother's boyfriend ultimately admitted abusing her. SCIWORA, or spinal cord injury without observable radiographic abnormality, can result from abuse or trauma.