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Spinal Injuries. Dr. Roberts. Epidemiology. 8,000 to 10,000 cases yearly Spinal trauma occurs in <1% of all trauma Mean age 33yo Male to Female: 4 to 1 Mostly from blunt trauma. Anatomy. 33 vertebrae: 7 C, 12 Thoracic, 5 Lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal
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Spinal Injuries Dr. Roberts
Epidemiology • 8,000 to 10,000 cases yearly • Spinal trauma occurs in <1% of all trauma • Mean age 33yo • Male to Female: 4 to 1 • Mostly from blunt trauma
Anatomy • 33 vertebrae: 7 C, 12 Thoracic, 5 Lumbar, 5 sacral, 4 coccygeal • Denis three-column system for classification of thoracolumbar injuries • Anterior: ant vertebral body, ant. annulus fibrosus, ant long. Lig. • Middle: posterior wall of vert. body, post annulus fibrosus, post long. Lig • Posterior: post vertebral arch **if greater than two columns injured [unstable] **if greater than 50% compression [unstable]
Classification of spinal column injuries • Classified by mechanism • Flexion, flexion-rotation, extension, vertical compression • Flexion: Atlanto-occipital or atlantoaxial joint dislocation; simple wedge fracture; flexion teardrop fracture; clay shoveler’s fracture; bilateral facet dislocations
Damage to the corticospinaltract neurons (upper motor neurons) in the spinal cord results in (contralateral / ipsilateral) clinical findings such as muscle weakness, spasticity, increased deep tendon reflexes, and a Babinski sign.
When the _tract is damaged in the spinal cord, the patient experiences loss of pain and temperature sensation in the contralateral half of the body. • The (pain and temperature) sensory loss begins one or two segments below the level of the lesion.
Injury to one side of the dorsal • columns will result in (contralateral/ipsilateral) loss of vibration and position sense.
beginning with Tl, nerve roots exit (above/below) the vertebral body for which they are named.
Classification of spinal column injuries • Shear: odontoid fractures
Classification of spinal column injuries • Rotation: Rotary atlantoaxial dislocation; Unilateral facet dislocations
Classification of spinal column injuries • Extension: Posterior neural arch fracture of C1; hangman’s fracture; extension teardrop fracture
Classification of spinal column injuries • Vertical Compression: Compression fractures
Neurologic Evaluation • MOTOR EXAMINATION: • C4 Spontaneous breathing • C5 Shrugging • C6 Elbow Flexion • C7 Elbow Extension • C8-T1 Flexion of fingers • T1-T12 Intercostal & Abdominal muscles • L1-L2 Hip Flexion • L3 Hip Adduction • L4 Hip Abduction • L5 Foot Dorsiflexion • S1-S2 Foot Plantar flexion • S2-S4 Rectal Sphincter Tone
Neurologic Evaluation • Spinal Reflex Examination • C6 Biceps • C7 Triceps • L4 Patellar • S1 Achilles
Neurologic Evaluation • Spinal Sensory Exam • C2 Occiput L4 Knee • C3 Thyroid Cartliage L5 Lateral Aspect of Calf • C4 Suprasternal Notch S1 Lateral Aspect of Foot • C5 Below Clavicle S2-4 Perianal Region • C6 Thumb • C7 Index Finger • C8 Small Finger • T4 Nipple Line • T10 Umbilicus • L1 Femoral Pulse • L2-3 Medial Aspects of Thigh
Neurologic Evaluation • Complete lesions: total loss of motor & sensation • Spinal shock may mimic • May last several days; bulbocavernosus reflex marks end of shock • Sacral sparing • Perianal sensation, normal rectal sphincter tone, flexor toe movement
Neurologic Evaluation • Incomplete Spinal Lesions: • 90% are of three syndromes • Central Cord • Brown-Sequard • Anterior Cord
Neurologic Evaluation • Other 10% • Posteroinferior cerebellar artery syndrome – dysphageia, dysphonia, hiccups, vertigo, & cerebellar ataxia • Horner’s – cervical sympathetic chain damage with ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis • Cauda equina – perineal or bilateral leg pain, bowel/bladder dysfunction, perianal anesthesia, diminished rectal tone, & lower extremity weakness • SCIWORA
Radiography • Nexus: prospective study 34,069 patients @ 21 EDs; all but 8 of 818 patients with injuries and only one required surgical stabilization • Criteria • No midline cervical tenderness • No focal neurologic deficit • No intoxication • Normal Alertness • No painful distracting injury
Radiography • Canadian Decision Rule: 3 questions • Are there any high-risk factors that mandate radiography? • Are there any low-risk factors that allow safe assessment of range of motion? • Is the patient able to actively rotate the neck 45 degrees to the left & right? • High Risks – age > 65 years; mechanism (fall > 1 m, an axial load, MVC > 100km/hr, rollover, ejection, ATV or bicycle collision); paresthesias • Low Risks – rear-end crashes, ability to sit up in ED, ability to ambulate, delayed onset of neck pain, absence of midline neck tenderness
Radiography • Cross-Table Lateral View • Three anatomical lines may be traced: • Along the anterior vertebral body cortex • Along the posterior vertebral body cortex • Along the spinolaminar junction • 25% children have pseudosubluxation C2/3 no more than 2 mm • retropharangeal soft tissues • C1-4 4-7mm • C5-7 16-22mm
Radiography • Trauma Series • AP/Lateral/swimmer’s/oblique/odontoid
Radiography • Flex/Ext Views: • Ant. Or Post. Subluxation > 2mm on one view and not on the neutral view = ligament injury • Only done if normal mental status & exam, but still pain • Controversial with CT/MRI available
Radiography • MRI – superior for non-osseous eval. • CT • Indications – inadequate visualization; suspicious plain films; fracture/displacement on standard films; high clinical suspicion despite normal plain films • 3d reconstruction for complicated fractures
Unstable Fractures • Jefferson fracture • Hangman’s fracture • Flexion teardrop fracture • Extension teardrop fracture • Bilateral locked facets
Management • Assume injury • Immobilize • Watch out for spinal shock • Steroids? • Definitive Care