Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Trauma, MR, CT, Conventional radiography, Neuroradiology spine
Authors:
P. Nsiah-Sarbeng, A. Gontsarova, P. Bhogal, T. Wilhelm; London/UK
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2011/C-1740
Background
The number of fall-induced injuries has increased as the general population has aged over the last decade.
Traumatic injuries to the spinal cord/column can result in significant morbidity,
disability ,and even,
death. The idea that these injuries occurs in isolation and only to adolescents and young adults is a misconception and recent epidemiological studies (1) suggests the first peak occurs as expected in young adults,
however,
the second peak occurs to the elderly population.
Clinical diagnosis of cspine injuries in the elderly is difficult and complex due to associated factors such as mental state,
social status and complex medical histories.
Imaging evaluation also a challenge due to chronic condition encountered in the elderly such as spondylosis of the joints,
DISH and anklosis of the spine obscuring the signs of trauma.
Due to limited physiological reserves and the existence of medical comorbidities,
elderly patients have increased risk of morbidity and mortality from cervical spine injuries.
This educational exhibit will elucidate characteristics patterns of cervical spine injuries associated with seemingly minor trauma in the elderly patient.