Yanik Buetikofer, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Wolf-Dieter Zech MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Jackowski MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniel Ott MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Levent Kara MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To gather epidemiological data regarding the cause of injury, and to evaluate the incidence of spinal fractures, in relation to different types of traumatic fatalities.

This is a retrospective review of spinal fractures associated with different kinds of trauma over 9 years. 321 native postmortem CT scans of traumatic accidents between 2005 and 2013 have been evaluated regarding spine fractures. The types of traumatic accidents were assessed and divided into groups (n=321); a - Motor vehicle accidents (n=42), b - bicycle accidents (n=33), c - motorbike accidents (n=39), d – trauma involving pedestrians (n=47), e - Falls from great height (n=100), and f - all others (n=60). All fractures were divided; by fracture or dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint (C0/C1), upper cervical spine fracture from C1 to C3 (upper CV), lower cervical spine fracture from C4 to C7 (lower CV), thoracic spine fracture (TV) and lumbar spine fracture (LV). All spine fractures were subsequently classified according to the AO Comprehensive Classification from June, 2013.

From a total of 359 fractures there were (21.75%) atlanto-occipital fractures, (12%) upper cervical fractures, (14.5%) lower cervical fractures, (31.75%) thoracic fractures and (20%) lumbar fractures. By the AO classification the upper cervical fractures comprise 51.75% Typ-A-, 31% Typ-B- and 17.25% Typ-C-fractures; The lower cervical fractures comprise 29.25% Typ-A-, 36.5% Typ-B- and 34.25% Typ-C-fractures; The thoracic fractures comprise 41.75% Typ-A-, 33% Typ-B- and 25.25% Typ-C-fractures; The lumbar fractures comprise 32.5% Typ-A-, 30.5% Typ-B- and 37% Typ-C-fractures.

In all trauma types there is a higher incidence of upper cervical fractures compared to lower cervical fractures. Pedestrians are more likely to suffer a cervical fracture compared to the other accident types, especially compared to bicycle accidents, which are most likely to suffer a thoracic vertebrae fracture.

Knowledge of the distribution and patterns of spinal fractures with respect to the type of accident helps the radiologist to support the emergency physician in prioritizing trauma patients and their therapeutic needs.

Buetikofer, Y, Zech, W, Jackowski, C, Ott, D, Kara, L, Distribution and Patterns of Spinal Fractures Related to Different Traumatic Mechanisms in Post Mortem CTs.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14004550.html