Bilateral shoulder pain after a generalized tonic-clonic seizure: case report of an acute undiagnosed bilateral fracture of proximal humerus

Iacopo Castellini¹*, Enrico Bonicoli², Lorenzo Andreani³, Veronica Zarra⁴, Michele Lisanti⁵

Orthopaedics and Traumatology 1^st Department University of Pisa, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, Zip Code 56121, Tuscany, Italy.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: iacopocastellini@yahoo.it; Mobile: +39 340 2618791, Phone/Fax Number: 050 996501

Accepted 06 August, 2014

Abstract

Bilateral shoulder fracture is a rare event and convulsive epileptic seizure is one of the most common causes. Detailed physical and neurovascular examination are important but shoulder’s antero-posterior and axillary radiographs are essential to reveal a possible fracture and/or dislocation. Diagnosis could be difficult and often missed because of the importance given to patient’s neurological issue. We present a case of a young man with an acute undiagnosed bilateral fracture of proximal humerus as complication of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. After seven days we performed a surgical procedure of bilateral reduction and osteosynthesis with angular stability plate and screws.

Keywords: Shoulder dislocation; Proximal humeral fracture; Seizure.