Lumbar Burst Fractures Wheeless

Description: - typical injury pattern for burst fractures varies w/ anatomic level;
- L1 to L3 pedicles are frequently comminuted or detached;
- L4 to L5 fractures usually present a consistent pattern:
- L4 & L5 pedicles are stout & usually remain intact;
- pedicles are usually not fractured & remain attached to caudal halves the vertebral body;
- kyphosis is usually not present;
- cephalad third of vertebral body is fractured w/ central retropulsion of bone into canal;
- significant stenosis may be present;
- displaced laminar fractures may entrap dura and cauda equina;