[Spinal contusion after trauma to the cervical spine--relevance of the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between spinal stenosis and cervical myelopathy. Furthermore it was to investigate whether there is a correlation between spinal stenosis and progression of neurologic symptoms?


METHODS
Using the Pavlov ratio method, we compared 14 patients with a contusio spinalis with 14 patients who suffered from a distortion of the cervical spine. This ratio is calculated by the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal with the anteroposterior width of the vertebral body.


RESULTS
In eight patients with a contusio spinalis, there was a spinal stenosis, while there was none in the distortion group. The remaining patients with a contusio had severe degenerative changes in routine roentgenograms of the cervical spine. The Pavlov ratio was statistically significant reduced in the contusio group. After 8.5 days there was a complete regression of neurologic symptoms, whereas in 4 patients there was no full recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
To conclude we demonstrated that a spinal stenosis promotes a contusio spinalis but there is no evidence that the Pavlov ratio allows statements concerning the progression of the injury.
Wick
M
M
Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Ruhruniversität, Bochum.
Müller
E J
EJ
Hahn
M P
MP
Muhr
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D003288:Contusions / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging