Figure 1

Preoperative plain radiography, computerised tomography (CT) scan and MRI showed a T12 burst fracture with severe canal compromise (a–e). (a) X-ray of the thoracolumbar in a lateral view; (b) MRI sagittal view of the thoracolumbar T2-weighted sequence; (c) MRI sagittal view of the thoracolumbar T1-weighted sequence; (d) MRI axial view at the injured site; (e) Axial CT scan at injured site. Postoperative CT scan revealed there was still a canal compromise (f).