Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims.
BACKGROUND
The effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of these fractures in helmeted and nonhelmeted crash victims at a single Level I trauma hospital with a well-defined system for evaluating spinal fractures.


RESULTS
Of 422 motorcycle crash victims treated during 3 years, 190 had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 75 sustained some form of spinal fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the statistical analysis, there was no relationship between helmet use and cervical or thoracic fractures, after controlling for speed of crash. The protective effect of helmet use in TBI was verified. These findings re-emphasize the need for a well-defined radiologic protocol for spinal injury at centers that evaluate crash victims.
Goslar
Pamela W
PW
Level I Trauma, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Crawford
Neil R
NR
Petersen
Scott R
SR
Wilson
Jeffrey R
JR
Harrington
Timothy
T
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D009104:Multiple Trauma; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*