Relationship between Canal Stenosis and Neurologic Deficits in Thoraco lumbar Burst Fracture

Park, Heui Jeon

Abstract

In thoracolumbar burst fractures, CT scans demonstrate the narrowing of spinal canal by the retropulsed bony fragments from the vertebral body. A few authors have reported the relationship between traumatic spinal canal stenosis and nerologic deficits. Author analysed the 68 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures about the relationship between canal stenosis and neurolgic deficits by using CT scans. The results were as follows : 1. Twenty four (62%) of 39 patients with disruption of posterior element had neurologic dificits, while 11 (38%) of 29 patients without disruption had neurologic deficits. 2. Spinal canal ratio of 45% or more at the epiconus level, 52% or more at the conus medullaris level, and 65% or more at the cauda equina level were significant factors for neurologic deficits in thoracolumbar burst fractures. 3. Twenty (87%) of 23 patients with neurologic deficit in epiconus and conus medullarsis level had the horseshoe or crescent shape of patent spinal canal, eleven (69%) of 16 patients with neurologic deficit in cauda equina level had the horseshoe or crescent shape of spinal canal.