Value of multidetector spiral CT in diagnosis of acute thoracolumbar spinal fracture and fracture-dislocation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the diagnostic value of multidetector spiral CT (MSCT) in acute thoracolumbar spinal fracture and fracture-dislocation.

METHODS

CT imaging files of 152 consecutive traumatic patients with thoracolumbar fractures were retrospectively reviewed. MSCT scannings were performed with a collimation of 3-5 mm and a pitch of 5.5. The postprocessing included sagittal and coronal multiplannar reconstruction, and 3-D reconstruction.

RESULTS

There were 88 cases of compression fracture, 54 cases of burst fracture and 10 cases of fracture-dislocation. Transverse images of MSCT could visualize all fractures directly and determine whether spinal canal was intact. Postprocessing image was helpful in depicting the displacement of fragment and orientation of dislocation.

CONCLUSIONS

MSCT plays an important role in diagnosis and management of acute thoracolumbar spinal fracture and fracture-dislocation.