Spontaneously occurring fractures of the spine in skeletally immature animals.

STUDY

DESIGN

Twelve spontaneously occurring fractures of the spin in nine skeletally immature animals were investigated.

OBJECTIVES

These fractures were analyzed radiographically, morphologically, and histologically.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The most commonly injured regions were the cervical and lumbar regions. Multiple-level fractures were noted in three specimens.

METHODS

Morphologic and histologic examination invariably detected fractures in cases of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality.

RESULTS

The end-plate physes and synchondroses were found to be the "weak links" for propagation of fractures. Radiographically benign-appearing ring apophyseal fractures were found histologically to propagate from the end-plate physis through the vertebral body via the contiguous neurocentral synchondroses.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed morphologic and histologic fracture patterns should provide a better understanding of the probable comparable pathoanatomy of spine and spinal cord injuries in children.