Injuries associated with fractures of the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

The records of 92 patients who sustained fractures of the transverse processes of thoracic or lumbar vertebrae between 1976 and mid-1982 were reviewed. The majority were injured in motor vehicle accidents. Trauma to abdominal viscera occurred in 19 patients including hepatic injuries in six, splenic injuries in 12, and colonic injuries in five. Hematuria was present in 51 patients and five of 51 had urinary tract injury requiring operative treatment. None of 34 patients without hematuria incurred anatomic disruption of the urinary tract. Thirty-two patients suffered other associated injuries, including thoracic, orthopedic, maxillofacial, and cerebral trauma. Fifteen patients incurred other spinal injuries. The overall mortality was 11% (ten patients). The mean Injury Severity Score in the 92 patients was 13.9. The frequency of abdominal visceral trauma with this bony injury (19/92-21%) suggests great energy expenditure and should alert physicians to seek other severe injuries.