title: Syringomyelia secondary to paraplegia due to fractures of the thoracic spine.
abstract: The clinical, radiological and operative findings in 3 patients with paraplegia consequent upon fractures of the thoracic spine are presented. Myelography revealed widening of the cervical spinal cord in all 3 patients and this finding was confirmed at operation. The incidence of this condition in the Spinal Injuries Unit is shown to be similar to that noted in other large units. The principal theories as to the aetiology of this condition, i.e. cavitation secondary to haematomyelia or myelomalacia caused by circulatory disorders, are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*