Thoracic Spine Fractures and Dislocations Workup

  • Author: Michael Leahy, MD; Chief Editor: Harris Gellman, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 7, 2012
 

Imaging Studies

  • Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of the thoracic spine: Radiographs are used initially to elucidate the fracture configuration. Radiographic evidence of a fracture at any level of the spine necessitates radiographic analysis of the entire spine.[10]
  • CT scan: CT scans of the thoracic spine with sagittal reformatted images provide information regarding the extent of injury to the osseous structures and the posterior elements.[1]
  • MRI: This study is useful in evaluating soft-tissue injury to the ligaments, discs, and epidural spaces. MRI is most useful in patients when traumatic disc herniation, epidural hematoma, or spinal cord injury is suspected. In addition, MRI is used when CT and radiographic analysis do not adequately explain the patient's symptoms.[11]
Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Michael Leahy, MD  Staff Physician, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor - All Saints Hospital, Harris Methodist Hospital of Fort Worth

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Mark Rahm, MD  Vice Chair and Residency Program Director, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Consulting Staff, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Scott and White Memorial Hospital

Mark Rahm, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: K2M Grant/research funds Other; SpineSmith Royalty Other; Medtronic Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

Specialty Editor Board

Lee H Riley III, MD  Chief, Division of Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Associate Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

William O Shaffer, MD  Professor, Vice-Chairman and Residency Program Director, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kentucky at Lexington

William O Shaffer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Kentucky Medical Association, Kentucky Orthopaedic Society, North American Spine Society, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: DePuySpine 1997-2007 (not presently) Royalty Consulting; DePuySpine 2002-2007 (closed) Grant/research funds SacroPelvic Instrumentation Biomechanical Study; DePuyBiologics 2005-2008 (closed) Grant/research funds Healos study just closed; DePuySpine 2009 Consulting fee Design of Offset Modification of Expedium

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS  Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD  Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Burst fracture T12. Note the widened interpedicular distance.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Flexion distraction injury with facet dislocation.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Fracture dislocation T2-T3.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Preoperative axial CT image of burst fracture with partial neurologic deficit.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Burst fracture with partial neurologic deficit after stabilization with medial resection of right pedicle to allow access to anterior fragment.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Pedicle screw fixation of a T12 burst fracture.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of T12 burst fracture treated with cage strut and anterior instrumentation.
Thoracic spine fractures and dislocations. Lateral radiograph of T12 burst fracture treated with cage strut and anterior stabilization.
 
 
 
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