The prognosis and the treatment of patients with a C3/4 spinal cord injury.
Twenty patients with a C3/4 spinal cord injury have been treated in our hospital since 1974. There were 15 new patients. The average follow up period was 68 months, ranging from 7 to 162 months. The 15 new cases were classified as Frankel A in nine cases, B in one, and C in five. Frankel A or B were usually accompanied by either an unstable spinal fracture or by spinal canal stenosis at the C3/4 level. Twelve patients received surgery. At the most recent follow up, eight of the 15 patients (53.3%) had improved according to Frankel's classification. Five, all Frankel A on remission, have died between 2 and 156 months after injury. Seven patients required tracheotomy on account of severe respiratory disturbance.
Sannohe
A
A
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
Harata
S
S
Ueyama
K
K
Ito
J
J
Sato
T
T
Tian
W
W
Ichikawa
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate