title: Comminuted fracture of the thoracic spine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Road deaths fell initially after the introduction of the penalty points but despite this, the rate of spinal injuries remained unchanged.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report a patient with a dramatic spinal injury, though without neurological deficit. We discuss the classification, management and economic impact of these injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe the management of a patient with a comminuted thoracic spinal fracture without neurological injury. We conducted a literature review with regard to the availability of literature of the management of these injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This 17-year-old female was managed surgically and had a good functional outcome. There is no clear consensus in the published literature on the management of these injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comminuted thoracic spinal factures are potentially devastating. Such a patient presents challenges in determining the appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork. james.cashman@gmail.com
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cashman
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Carty
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mahalingham
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed