Dupatta (scarf): a unique cause of cervical spine injury in females.
BACKGROUND
Dupatta (scarf) is a part of the traditional dress for females in the Indian subcontinent. Working near machinery, riding a motorcycle or cyclerickshaw, can result in entanglement of dupatta in moving parts of machinery and subsequent cervical spine injury. It is seen most commonly in rural areas, with farmyard equipment.


METHODS
A retrospective study was performed between January 2004 and January 2006, on all the patients presenting with cervical spine injury secondary to dupatta entanglement in machinery. They were assessed for mode, level of injury, neurological status, associated complications, radiological picture and clinical outcome.


RESULTS
There were 12 such cases of cervical spine injury. The most common cause of injury was a threshing machine. All cases except one had quadriplegia (ASIA grade A) with bladder and bowel involvement. There was loss of consciousness in nine patients. Three patients expired. There was no neurological recovery in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Dupatta is a unique cause of cervical spine injury in females, especially in rural areas. Easy methods of prevention may be helpful in preventing such injuries.
Jain
Vineet
V
Department of Orthopaedics, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated L.N. Hospital, New Delhi, India. vineet_leo@indiatimes.com
Agrawal
Mayank
M
Dabas
Vineet
V
Kashyap
Abhishek
A
Sural
Sumit
S
Dhal
Anil
A
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D003020:Clothing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014474:Unconsciousness / Q000209:etiology