Purpose
To determinate the reliable three dimensional (3D) CT classification predicting neurological deficits in thoracolumbar spine injuries.
Methods and Materials
We retrospectively reviewed spine 3D CT images of 102 patients with thoracolumbar spine burst fractures.
The levels where sited with main one burst fracture were twenty-two ‘cord level’ above the 11th thoracic spine,
twenty-one ‘conus medullaris level’ of the 12th thoracic spine body,
and fifty-nine ‘cauda equina level’ below the 1st lumbar spine.
The laminar fractures were thirty-five displaced,
twenty-seven separated,
seven linear,
and thirty-three no fractures (Fig.
1-3).
The central canal ratios (CCRs) were fifty-nine above 0.51 and forty-three below 0.50 (Fig.
4).
The...
Results
Neurological deficits were resulted with displaced laminar fractures (P < .05),
CCRs below 0.50 (P < .05),
cord and conus medullaris level injuries (P < .05),
and multiple spine injuries (P < .05).
Complete neurological deficits with paraplegia were resulted to displaced laminar fracture (P < .05) and CCR below 0.5 (P < .05).
Incomplete neurological deficits were resulted to multiple spine injuries (P < .05).(Table 1-5)
Conclusion
Three dimensional CT classification may be able to predict neurological deficits in thoracolumbar spine burst fractures.
References
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