Journal of Trauma and Injury

The Korean Society of Traumatology (대한외상학회)
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Classification of Vertebral Body Fractures with Two-level Posterior Column Injuries of the Thoracolumbar Spine

두 개의 수준을 침범한 후주손상을 동반한 흉요추부 추체 골절의 분류

  • Koh, Young-Do (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Ewha Woman's University) ;
  • Jeong, Hoon (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Red-Cross Hospital) ;
  • Yeo, Sung-Gu (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul Red-Cross Hospital)
  • 고영도 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 정형외과학교실) ;
  • 정훈 (서울적십자병원 정형외과) ;
  • 여성구 (서울적십자병원 정형외과)
  • Received : 2005.04.29
  • Accepted : 2005.05.26
  • Published : 2005.06.30
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Abstract

Purpose: We evaluate the characteristics of vertebral body fractures in two level flexion-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine Methods: The findings of radiographs, computed tomographs, and MRIs of 43 patients with flexion-distraction injuries combined with vertebral body fractures were retrospectively evaluated. We divided the patients with bursting fractures into two groups, the distractive group (posterior vertebral height ratio >1) and the compressive group (vertebral height ratio <1). Results: There were 23 compression fractures and 20 bursting fractures. In bursting fractures, the distractive group had 5 cases, and the compressive group 15 cases. In 24 cases (55.8%), the interspinous distances were widened. The average of the canal encroachment was 4% in the distractive group and 40% in the compressive group. At last follow-up, the average loss of correction was 2.0 degree in compression fractures and 2.7 degree in bursting fractures. Conclusion: The configurations of vertebral body fractures in flexion-distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine were varied as to the location of the axis of flexion. Because bursting fractures in flexion-distraction injuries had distractive or compressive features, one should consider that in establishing operative plan.

Keywords

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