Radiologic Indicators on Neurology Injury in Burst Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Spine

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Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Traumatology 2003;16(1):1-5.

Young Do Koh, M.D., and Young-Jin Cheon, M.D.*

Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Emergency Medicine^*
College of Medicine, Ewha Woman’s University

흉요추부 방출성 골절에서 신경 손상과 관련된 방사선학적 요인

고영도·전영진*

이화여자대학교 의과대학 정형외과학교실, 응급의학과교실*

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.

Key Words: Thoracolumbar spine; Burst fracture; Neurology

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