title: Spinal injury and computerized tomography: a review of fracture pathology and a new approach to canal decompression.
abstract: The plain X-rays and CT scans of 23 cases of thoracolumbar and 18 cases of lower cervical (below C2) spinal compression fractures were compared. A new picture of the fracture pathology has emerged as several features consistently appeared and are described: a midline or slightly oblique split of the vertebral body; posterolateral fractures of the body in the region of the developmental neurocentral joint; fragments of the body displaced backwards into the canal at the level of the pedicles; oblique laminal fractures; and separation of the zygapophyseal rim in thoracolumbar fractures. With this more complete picture of the bony injury, in particular canal encroachment, a new method of anterolateral canal decompression has been tried and is described.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Sears
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed