RESUMEN
Objective To study the image features and clinical significance of 3-dimensional (3-D)and multiplanar reconstruction with spiral CT(SCT) in cervical spinal fractures.MethodPlain film radiography and spiral CT scanning were taken for 26 cases of cervical spinal fractures.The type of fractures, diagnositic successful rate, parameter of scanning and late stage managing methods were investigated retrospectively to find out the effective difference between the diagnosis of plain X-ray and SCT. The imagin location of fractures,sequence of cenrum, heighth of centrum, fracture line, auxillary structure and rotation/dislocation of the fractures were emphasized to evaluate the advantages of 3-D imaging.ResultIn the 26 cases, there were 4 Jefferson fractures, (in which 1 combined with articular dislocations), 17 C2 spinous process fractures, (in which 1 had failure of plain X-ray diagnostic), 1 Hangman fracture, 2 C1～2 imbalance, (in which 1 had failure of plain X-ray diagnostic).There were 2 cases of axoid longitudinal fractures without obvious dislocation. The diagnositic successful rate were 100% in SCT group, while 65% in X-ray group in which 6 cases had diagnostic failure and 3 cases had fracture mis-diagnozing as dislocation.The anatomical structure of upper cervical spine was complicated and was significantly different from other cervical spine constructions. Spiral CT could reveal high resolution images of the upper cervical spine, morphosis of vertibral canal, dislocation information of fracture mass and its relation with neighbouring tissues. Especially in C1 burst fracture,C2 dens fracture and C1～2 dislocation, SCT could provide clear 3-D information of the size of collateral mass and the dislocation degree, furthermore, images could be rotated freely to observe the fracture in any proper section. That provides important information for the decision of operation, selection of operation types and evaluation of operation dager.ConclusionThe spiral CT scan and 3D reconstruction can reveal fracture better.The advantages of SCT are suggested that this diagnostic modality may be the standard method for the initial evaluation of the upper cervical spine injury.