title: Nonoperative Management in Neurologically Intact Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures: Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes.
abstract: METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The identification of factors that lead to the failure of nonoperative management in neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures (TLBF) can be controversial, particularly in the neurologically intact. Surgery for intact burst fractures has been advocated for early mobilization and a shorter hospital stay. These goals, however, have not always been achieved, rejuvenating an interest in nonoperative treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-eight neurologically intact patients with burst fractures of the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L2), and a thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score (TLICS) of 2, were treated at our institution. Based on CT scans, patients were scored based on the load-sharing classification (LSC) scale. Initial treatment consisted of bracing in clamshell thoracolumbar orthosis and gradual mobilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Owing to pain limiting mobilization, 18 patients failed nonoperative management and required instrumentation. Those who failed nonsurgical management were significantly more kyphotic (8° ± 10) and stenotic (52% ± 14%) than those successfully treated nonoperatively (3° ± 7 and 63 ± 12%, respectively). The LSC score of those undergoing surgery (6.9 ± 1.1) was also greater than those successfully treated nonoperatively (5.8 ± 1.3, P = 0.006). Length of hospitalization was longer, and hospital charges higher in those requiring surgery compared to the nonoperative group. At follow-up there was no difference between groups in the visual analog score for pain (VAS) or the Oswestry disability index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Owing to pain limiting mobilization, a quarter of neurologically intact patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures and a TLICS score of 2 failed nonsurgical management. The greater the kyphosis, stenosis, and fragmentation of the fracture, the more likely patients required surgery. In addition to the TLICS classification, other radiographic and clinical parameters should be included in selecting appropriate treatment strategy. The cost savings with nonoperative treatment of intact burst fractures, when appropriate, are significant.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA†Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL‡Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA§Department of Neurology & Neurosciences, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ¶Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA.
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hitchon
authors.forename: Kingsley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abode-Iyamah
authors.forename: Nader S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Dahdaleh
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shaffrey
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Noeller
authors.forename: Wenzhuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moritani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D017211:Treatment Failure