title: [Analysis of concurrent intravertebral vacuum sign in thoracolumbar fractures after posterior internal fixation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the importance of TLICS classification to surgical options of thoracolumbar fractures by analyzing the cause of intravertebral vacuum sign, vertebral collapse and vertebral pseudarthrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2006 to December 2010, the clinical data about 15 patients with postoperative complications by thoracolumbar fracture after posterior internal fixation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 9 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 18 to 75 years, with an average of 54.6 years. Of them, fracture site in T12 was 7 cases, L1 was 5 cases, L2 was 3 cases; compression fractures was in 12 cases and burst fracture was in 3 cases; according to classification of TLICS, 12 cases were of type I ,3 cases of type III. And the causes of complications after posterior fixation were analyzed according clinical manifestation and imaging finding combined with review literatures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 10 to 20 months following-up (with average of 15 months), loss of vertebral height found in 9 cases (4 cases existed vertebral collapse, as well as 3 cases occurred screw loosening) and Intravertebral Vacuum Sign appeared in 6 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to avoid the vertebral vacuum and fixation failure, the clinical data of patients should be roundly and carefully evaluated, surgical indications should be strictly controlled and the surgical approach should be selected according to correct classification. Particularly, the reconstruction of the stability of former spinal column shoud be paid more attention.
authors.affiliation: The TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jian-li
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Ru-jie
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Hai-feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Zhen-chuan
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult