Percutaneous removal of sacroiliac screw following iatrogenic neurologic injury in posterior pelvic ring injury: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous sacroiliac fixation is an effective minimally invasive method for posterior pelvic ring stabilization. Screw misplacement, and subsequent neurologic injury are two well described complications. Managing those complications however is under-reported. CASE: A young female, sustained an unstable pelvic ring injury as a victim of motor vehicle collision. Following percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation, she complained of L5 nerve root radiculopathy, and muscle weakness. Percutaneous removal of the screw after a wait period for fracture union resulted in immediate symptoms relief. DISCUSSION: Safe sacroiliac screw placement is technically demanding requiring good understanding of sacral complex morphology and its anatomic variants. Risk of screw misplacement, and potential neurologic injury increases in dysmorphic sacra, or with inaccurate fracture reduction. Advances in intraoperative imaging modalities have been introduced in an attempt to improve accurate screw insertion. Literature is scarce with reports discussing removal of sacroiliac screw. Technique of screw retrieval is also controversial. CONCLUSION: This case addresses management of an iatrogenic neurologic complication following percutaneous sacroiliac screw fixation. Our experience showed that, percutaneous retrieval of an intact misplaced sacroiliac screw is achievable, resulting in complete resolution of neurologic symptoms.