[Anterior dural laseration due to thoracolumbar burst fracture].
BACKGROUND
This study investigated the incidence, prediction, and treatment principles of anterior dural laseration due to thoracolumbar burst fracture.


METHODS
Three anterior dural tears were found during anterior decompressive spine surgery. The average age was 42. Preoperative neurologic status and radiologic data of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. The average follow-up was 20 months.


RESULTS
Anterior dural tears detected in 3 (8.2%) of 35 burst fractures. Primary repair were performed in two patients. There were no cerebro-spinal fluid leakage perioperatively and all patients were neurologically intact at the final follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
It is too difficult to detect anterior dural tear before surgery. Anterior dural tear should be suspected in patient with neurologic deficit and asimetric bony retropulsion into the spinal canal.
Ozdemir
Mustafa
M
Selçuk Universitesi, Meram Tip Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji ABD, Konya, Turkey. hmustafam@hotmail.com
Oğün
Tunç
T
Kapicioğlu
Safa M I
SM
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed