Value of multidetector spiral CT in diagnosis of acute thoracolumbar spinal fracture and fracture-dislocation / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the diagnostic value of multidetector spiral CT (MSCT) in acute thoracolumbar spinal fracture and fracture-dislocation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CT imaging files of 152 consecutive traumatic patients with thoracolumbar fractures were retrospectively reviewed. MSCT scannings were performed with a collimation of 3-5 mm and a pitch of 5.5. The postprocessing included sagittal and coronal multiplannar reconstruction, and 3-D reconstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 88 cases of compression fracture, 54 cases of burst fracture and 10 cases of fracture-dislocation. Transverse images of MSCT could visualize all fractures directly and determine whether spinal canal was intact. Postprocessing image was helpful in depicting the displacement of fragment and orientation of dislocation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MSCT plays an important role in diagnosis and management of acute thoracolumbar spinal fracture and fracture-dislocation.</p>