title: Indications for obtaining surveillance thoracic and lumbar spine radiographs.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for thoracic/lumbar spine fractures in patients with blunt injuries and subsequently establish indications for obtaining surveillance thoracolumbar radiographs. Retrospective review of all patients with blunt injuries (n = 1485) admitted in 1992 to a level I trauma center with a discharge diagnosis of thoracolumbar spine fracture established entrance criteria for a 4-month prospective study. Relative risk of fracture (RR) was calculated. Retrospective. Seventy-six percent (176 of 233) had radiographs; 21% had fractures; one diagnosed late. Prospective. One hundred percent (167 of 167) had radiographs; 9% (15 of 167) had fractures; none diagnosed late or missed. Forty percent (26 of 65) of patients with fractures had no pain or tenderness; 35% (9) required surgical spinal fixation. Our data define these indications for obtaining thoracolumbar radiographs in patients with blunt injuries: back pain (RR1), fall > or = 10 feet, ejection from motorcycle/motor vehicle crash > or = 50 mph, GCS score < or = 8, (all RR2), and neurologic deficit (RR10). The sensitivity of our surveillance radiography protocol has increased to 100%. The absence of back pain does not exclude significant thoracolumbar trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Frankel
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Rozycki
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ochsner
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Harviel
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Champion
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*