Thoracic Fractures (Subscribe)  

Archived copy 2003
The patient, A.G., is a 26-year-old male who reportedly fell from a tree while intoxicated. He was initially taken to a local hospital. He complained of back pain and inability to move his lower extremities. His vital signs were stable but alcohol intoxication was obvious. The plain films...

About 10,000 thoracic and lumbar spine fractures are treated every year in France. In our experience, a few very minor cases can be treated with bed rest and physiotherapy; 60 % of lesions can be managed with closed treatment; and only 30 % will require surgery. Our experience includes more...

Posterior pedicle screw fixation with supplemental laminar hook fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures S. Leduc, J-M Mac-Thiong, G. Maurais, A. Jodoin Can J Surg, Vol. 51, No. 1, February 2008
This study evaluates the clinical relevance of the short-segment pedicle fixation supplemented by laminar hooks (2HS-1SH) construct in...

- results from hyperflexion, which produces wedge compression of one or more vertebral bodies;
- due to the rigidity of the rib cage, most of these frxs are stable;
- thoracic spinal canal is narrow...

Thoracic spine fractures, especially those resulting from high energy, can be devastating, often resulting in permanent neurologic injury. Neurologic deficit is encountered in 10-25% of all spinal column injuries, irrespective of the level of injury. A deficit occurs in 15-20% of all thoracolumbar injuries. In the event of a complete...

The goal of the diagnostic imaging is to correctly identify spinal fractures, to identify injuries to the spinal cord and nerve roots, to aid in surgical planning, and to judge the stability of postoperative fixation. This article highlights the typical patterns of injury within a classification based on the mechanism...

fracture at this level are frequently due to relative immobility of thoracic spine compared to the lumbar spine;
- upper thoracic spine (T1 to T10) is stabilized by the ribs & facet orientation, and is less suseptible to trauma;
...

Most thoracolumbar injuries can be effectively treated nonsurgically. Subset require surgical intervention to prevent future painful deformity or worsening neurological function.

Vertebral fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine are usually associated with major trauma and can cause spinal cord damage that results in neural deficits. Each vertebral region has unique anatomical and functional features that result in specific injuries. This article reviews the mechanisms and management of individual injuries in...