J Korean Fract Soc.  1999 Apr;12(2):388-394.

Relationship between Simple X-ray and CT Findings on the Degree of Canal Encroachment in Burst Fracture of Thoracolumbar Junction

• Koh YD
• Kim JO

Abstract

In burst fracture of thoracolumbar junction, compressive injury of middle column is characteristic and neurologic symptom develops by retropulsion of bony fragment into spinal canal. Authors had treated 44 cases with burst fracture of thoracolumbar junction at Ewha Woman' University Mokdong Hospital from September, 1993 to December, 1997 and analyzed the relationships between simple radiologic findings and canal encroachment and between neurology and canal encroachment. The results were as follows; Canal encroachment by bony fragment was larger in lower vertebra than in upper one. Canal encroachment was larger in Denis type A than in type B. Both anterior vertebral height(AVH) and presence of neurology were not related with the amount of canal encroachment. The lesser loss of posterior vertebral height(PVH) and kyphotic angle were, the more canal encroachment was. In summary, factors that influenced the amount of canal encroachment were fracture level and type. There was no significant relationship between neurology and the amount of canal encroachment. AVH, PVH and kyphotic angle were not related with the amount of canal encroachment.

Keyword

Thoracolumbar junction; Burst fracture; Canal encroachment

MeSH Terms

Neurologic Manifestations
Neurology
Spinal Canal
Spine