Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Injuries.

Injuries to the thoracic and lumbar vertebral column are not uncommon and are the result of increased loading on structures endowed with little motion or flexibility. Conventional radiographs, when carefully analyzed for the ÒfootprintsÓ and ÒfingerprintsÓ of the injury, will define its nature and, to a degree, its extent. A system of radiologic analysis is described and the parameters for diagnosis and differentiation are given. CT and MR imaging will provide further information regarding the full extent of injury and involvement of the spinal cord, if any. The importance of the radiographic signs described in the text is discussed in regard to posttraumatic stability of the vertebral column.