A Rare Case of Consecutive Posterior Shoulder Fracture Dislocation after Cerebral Saccular Aneurysm Episode

Introduction: Posterior shoulder fracture dislocations are a rare injury. Posterior shoulder fracture dislocations are a frequently overlooked condition. Bilateral posterior shoulder fracture dislocations develop mostly due to epileptic seizures.

Case Report: This case describes the successive posterior shoulder fracture dislocation of a 68-year-old male patient who had a seizure due to saccular aneurysm. Open reduction and internal bone fixation were performed on both shoulders with an interval of three months, and derotation of the left shoulder from the proximal humerus was performed. The patient was included in the physical therapy program after the surgeries. The final follow-up was done at 20 months after surgery for the right side and at 17 months after surgery for the left side. He stated that he was satisfied with the right side and moderately satisfied with the left.

Discussion: Posterior shoulder fracture dislocations are a rarer condition than isolated shoulder dislocations, it is rarer that it is bilaterally consecutive. Since it can be missed when making the diagnosis, the presence of computed tomography images in addition to direct x-rays makes the diagnosis easier in suspected cases. Depending on the degree of injury to the proximal humerus, treatment options are conservative or surgical.

Conclusion: Careful physical examination, appropriate radiological examinations, and detailed anamnesis are important for correct diagnosis and treatment. It should be kept in mind that there may be aneurysm in the brain in patients with non-traumatic shoulder posterior fracture dislocation.