Intraspinal migration of a clavicular Steinmann pin: case report and management strategy

Spine injury resulting from migration of previously implanted appendicular skeleton fixation hardware is rare. We present a 41-year-old man who had Steinmann fixation pins placed for a left clavicular fracture 2 years prior. He presented with a burning sensation over his biceps bilaterally and numbness over the left anterior chest and abdomen following a significant blunt traumatic injury. A CT scan revealed migration of a fractured Steinmann pin entering the left C8 neural foramen, traversing anterior to the spinal cord. The patient underwent a left C7 hemilaminectomy, foraminal decompression, and first rib resection to identify the extraforaminal portion of the pin and remove it under direct vision. He recovered uneventfully. We conclude that a principle of safe surgical removal includes adequate exposure to allow for direct visualization of the pin and neural structures. We review the evaluation and management strategies of this unusual condition.