JI Cheng,YANG Huilin.Diagnosis and treatment of multiple level and noncontiguous spinal fractures[J].Chinese Journal of Spine and Spinal Cord,2011,(11):895-899.
Diagnosis and treatment of multiple level and noncontiguous spinal fractures
Received:June 27, 2011  Revised:September 26, 2011
English Keywords:Spine fractures  Multiple-level  Noncontiguous  Diagnosis  Treatment
Fund:
Author NameAffiliation
JI Cheng Department of Orthopaedic Surgerythe First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow UniversitySuzhou215006China 
YANG Huilin 苏州大学附属第一医院骨科 215006 江苏省苏州市 
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English Abstract:
  【Abstract】 Objective:To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of multiple level and noncontiguous spinal fractures.Method:30 cases suffering from multiple level and noncontiguous spinal fractures were admitted to our institute from January 2007 to December 2010.There were 26 males and 4 females with the age ranging from 16 to 64 years.All the cases had a natural history of trauma.The duration from injury to admission was from 2 hours to 3 days.Total spine X-ray radiographic survey and three-dimensional CT scan were accomplished in the emergency room.One case died of cerebral hernia at the day of admission,and others underwent total spine MRI within 4 days after admission.14 cases suffered with 2 segments fractures,11 cases with 3 segments fractures,3 cases with 4 segments fractures and 2 cases with 5 segments fractures.A total of 83 segments were involved.Diagnosis was postponed in 6 cases(7 segments) with delayed time of 2 to 4 days.All delayed-diagnosed cases were determined by total spine MRI.According to ASIA grading system,there were 5 grade A,2 grade B,7 grade C,4 grade D and 11 grade E.8 cases were accompanied by cerebral trauma,4 by rib fracture,3 by hemopneumothorax,4 by pulmonary contusion,2 by rupture of the spleen,1 by kidney contusion,10 by limb fracture and 2 by pelvic fracture.14 cases suffering from burst fractures were complicated with spinal cord injury underwent surgery.The average time from injury to surgery is 6.2 day(4-9 days).10 simple compression fractures with the loss of vertebral height less than 1/3 and no neurological deficit were treated conservatively.5 cases abandoned treatment.Result:23 patients were followed up for 10 months to 44 months with a mean time of 28 months,while 1 case undergoing conservative treatment died of pulmonary embolism 6 days after admission.14 cases treated surgically had the average Cobb′s angle improved from 20.8°(range,16.6°-22.3°) of preoperation to 6.1°(range,4.7°-7.4°) of postoperation,and 6.7°(range,4.6°-7.7°) at final follow-up.No loss of vertebral height was noted,and all fractured vertebre healed at final follow-up.Among 12 patients with neurological deficit before operation,8 cases had ASIA grade improved 1-2 grade,and 4 cases remained unchanged(3 grade A and 1 grade B) at final follow-up.No implant failure,nonunion or neurological deterioration were noted during following up.9 cases undergoing conservative treatment had bony-union and no loss of vertebral height,and no neurological deterioration was noted either.Conclusion:Missed diagnosis in multiple level and noncontiguous spinal fractures is usually encountered.It is recommended that total spine X-ray radiographic survey and three-dimensional CT should be accomplished routinely to the cases with multiple trauma.The spine MRI is performed if necessary.If the fractures are unstable or combined with spinal cord deficit,surgical treatment is suggested as soon as possible for better healing effect.
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