title: A clinical study of the natural remodeling of burst fractures of the lumbar spine.
abstract: Surgical decompression and fixation are considered by many to be the preferred treatment for burst fractures of the lumbar spine, regardless of neurologic deficit. For 6 patients with burst fracture of the lumbar spine but without neurologic deficit, computed tomography scans revealed >50% encroachment of the spinal canal. All 6 patients were treated conservatively, and during the followup period (range, 6-49 months), the narrowing of the spinal canal decreased progressively because of resorption of the fragments and natural remodeling. The presence of a neurologic deficit should be the primary indication for surgery in patients with a burst fracture of the lumbar spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Youn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed