Spinal canal remodeling in burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine: a computerized tomographic comparison between operative and nonoperative treatment

• Published in: Journal of spinal disorders Vol. 9; no. 5; p. 409
• Main Authors: Yazici, M, Atilla, B, Tepe, S, Calisir, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-10-1996
• Subjects: Adult; Bone Remodeling; Bone Resorption - diagnostic imaging; Bone Resorption - physiopathology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fracture Healing; Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Lumbar Vertebrae - physiopathology; Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Paraplegia - etiology; Spinal Canal - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Canal - physiopathology; Spinal Cord Compression - etiology; Spinal Fractures - complications; Spinal Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Fractures - physiopathology; Spinal Fractures - surgery; Thoracic Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Thoracic Vertebrae - physiopathology; Thoracic Vertebrae - surgery; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0895-0385
• DOI: 10.1097/00002517-199610000-00008

Operative and nonoperative treatment methods of burst fractures were compared regarding canal remodeling. The entire series consisted of 18 patients, with seven in the operative treatment group and 11 in the nonoperative treatment group. All fractures were studied with computed tomography (CT) at the postoperative (operative treatment group) or postinjury (nonoperative treatment group) and the latest follow-up. All patients were followed up for > or = 18 months. There was no statistical difference between postoperative and postinjury canal areas (p = 0.0859). However, a significant difference was found between the rates of remodeling (p = 0.0059). Although spinal canal remodeling occurred in both groups, the resorption of retropulsed fragments was less favorable in nonoperative treatment group.