CT in thoracic and lumbar burst fractures

Eighty one patients who developed thoracolumbar fractures after trauma were evaluated with direct radiography and CT. Thirty six of cases were burst fractures. The changes of vertebral column integrity with direct radiography were determined. Later, C T was applied limiting regions which obtained abnormality by plain films. Vertebral body comminution and fragmentation, variable in all cases. We detected interpedicular distance widening in 26 cases and soft tissue changes in 18 cases (such as paraspinal hemorrhage, hematomyelia, disc hemiation, vacuum phenomenon, rupture of spleen and liver). A significant correlation of fractures and concomitant posterior radiographic findings were less definitive compared to enriched be used following plain films in investigation thoracolumbar burst fractures. It allows a fracture to be assesed more accurate than with plain films alone. The risk of orthopaedics instability and acute neurological damage can be assessed by CT. In thoracolumbar burst fractures visualizing the spinal column by C T that would provide to choose route of treatment in these patients.