Relation between traumatic spinal canal stenosis and neurological deficits in thoracolumbar burst fractures

This study explored the relationship between the degree of spinal canal stenosis and neurologic deficits in thoracolumbar spinal injury. Computed tomography images were obtained in a total of 112 patients within 2 months after having sustained thoracolumbar burst fracture. The patients ranged in age from 13 to 79 years, with an average of 41.8. Neurologic deficits might have occurred when the incidence of spinal canal stenosis was 35 % or more at the level of T11 and T12; 45 % or more at the level of L1; and 55 % or more at the level of L2 or less. Flattened lunate or hoof-shaped residual spinal canal was frequently associated with neurologic deficits. Destruction of the posterior vertebra and lateral canal stenosis at the lower level of lumbur vertebrae were also involved in the occurrence of neurologic deficits. (Namekawa, K.)