Clinical characteristics and treatment of upper-middle thoracic spinal fractures with spinal cord injury / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment methods of upper-middle thoracic fractures with spinal cord injury.[Method]Forty patients with upper-middle thoracic fracture were retrospectively reviewed.Hanley-Eskay classification was usedcompression fractures in 4,burst fractures in 11,fracture-dislocations in 23,and burst dislocation in 2 cases.Neurologicall function(according to the ASIA classification)A in 29,B in 3,C in 4,D in 0,and E for 4 cases.Four cases without spinal cord injury received conservative treatment.Thity-six cases with spinal cord injury underwent laminectomy and reduction followed by posterior fusion with bone graft and pedicular screw instrumentation.All 36 cases received early rehabilitation.[Result]All 40 cases were evaluated clinically,radiographically,and functionally during the follow-up(mean,32 months).Conservative groupone case developed delayed kyphosis deformity with neurological deficit and underwent anterior-posterior surgical treatment 16 months tater.Surgical groupthe correction in 3 patients was not complete on radiographs after operation.No loose screw or breakage was found,and the grafted bone was completely fused.Among the patients with spinal cord injury,one case in ASIA A improved to ASIA B,one case in ASIA B improved to ASIA C,two cases in ASIA C improved to ASIA D.All of the 4 cases with hemorrhage less than 4 mm(MIRI) increased 1 grade of ASIA.Activities of daily living(ADL)scores were increased (average,22.53?6.25)at early rehabilitation in all cases.[Conclusion]The upper-middle thoracic fractures are involved in multipla spine vertebral levels,high dislocation incidence,serious spinal cord injury(most cases were complete injury),poor prognosis.Presence of hemorrhage less than 4 mm (MRI) was associated with good prognosis.Posterior approach decompression and reduction followed by fusion with bone grafting and pedicle screws instrumentation are ideal surgical methods for patients with fresh fractures.Early rehabilitation may improve daily life ability and prevent complications.