Abstract

Background
In burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine, neurologic injury often develops due to retropulsion of a bony fragment into the spinal canal. The purpose of this study was to determine the radiologic findings frequently accompaning neurologic injury. Methods: Thirty-two (32) patients with burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine were divided into 2 groups, 10 with neurologic injury in group 1 and 22 without neurologic injury in group 2, and the relationship between neurologic injury and radiologic factors was retrospectively analyzed. Results: The results were as follows: Denis type A and the extent of the burst component were significantly related to neurologic injury. Canal encroachment by a bony fragment was larger in group 1 than in group 2. Neither the anterior and the posterior vertebral heights, the sagittal index, rotation of the bony fragment, nor a laminar fracture were related with neurologic injury. Conclusion: In summary, factors that influenced the presence of neurologic injury were fracture type, comminution of the vertebral body, and canal encroachment.

• Keywords: Thoracolumbar spine, Burst fracture, Neurology