Radiological Risk Factors for Neurological Deficits After Traumatic Mid and Low Lumbar Fractures

Study Design. Retrospective study. Objective. We identified radiological risk factors for neurological deficits in mid and low lumbar spinal fractures. Summary of Background Data. Although numerous studies have focused on radiological risk factors for neurological deficits in spinal cord injury or thoracolumbar junction area fractures, few have examined mid and low lumbar fractures at the cauda equina level. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 71 consecutive patients who suffered acute traumatic mid and low lumbar fractures (L2–L5) corresponding to the cauda equina level, as confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging. We defined a neurological deficit as present if the patient had any sensory or motor deficit in the lower extremity or autonomic system at the initial assessment. Various computed tomography parameters of canal stenosis, vertebral body compression, sagittal alignment, interpedicular distance, and presence of vertical laminar fractures were analyzed as independent risk factors to predict neurological deficits using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results. At the initial assessment, 31 patients had neurological deficits. Fracture level, AO fracture type, canal encroachment ratio, vertebral compression ratio, interpedicular distance ratio, and presence of a vertical laminar fracture were significantly associated with the presence of neurological deficits (all P 
Source: Spine - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: DIAGNOSTICS Source Type: research