• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2005

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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 1996

Spinal cord injury in child often occurs without evidence of fracture or dislocation. The mechanisms of neural damage in this syndrome of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality(SCIWORA) include flexion, hyperextension, longitudinal distraction, and ischemia. Inherent elasticity of the vertebral column in infants and young children, among other age-related anatomical peculiarities, render the pediatric spine exceedingly vulnerable to deforming forces. The neurological lesions encountered in this syndrome include a high incidence of complete and severe partial cord lesions. Children younger than 8years old sustain more serious neurological damage and suffer a larger number of upper cervical cord lesions than children aged over 8 years. Of the children with SCIWORA. 52% have delayed onset of paralysis up to 4 days after injury, and most of these children recall transient paresthesia, numbness, or subjective paralysis. The long-term prognosis in cases of SCIWORA is grim. Most children with complete and severe lesions do not recover; only those with initially mild neural injuries make satisfactory neurological recovery.