다발성 흉요추 척추 골절시 연속성과 비 연속성 골절의 결과 비교

Abstract

Purpose: This study was aimed to compare the functional outcomes of the continuous and discontinuous fractures, retrospectively, in multiple thoracolumbar and lumbar spine fractures. Materials and Methods: From February 2000 to January 2011, 35 patients who had acute thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures were evaluated. Osteoporotic fractures were excluded. They were divided into two groups (group A: continuous, group B: discontinuous). The author investigated the causes of injury, the locations of the injured spine, range of fusion levels, and functional outcomes based on their general characteristics. Results: Group A was 21 patients and group B, 14 patients. Causes of injury were traffic accident (group A: 10, group B: 11), fall down (group A: 8, group B: 2) and others. Most of the locations of vertebral fractures were at thoracolumbar junction (group A: 15, group B: 12). Most of the numbers of fusion levels were 3 segments (group A: 8, group B: 8) and 4 segments (group A: 7, group B: 2). According to Kim et al.’s criteria, functional outcomes were excellent in 4 patients (group A: 2, group B: 2), good in 13 patients (group A: 6, group B: 7), fair in 14 patients (group A: 9, group B: 5) and poor in 4 patients (group A: 4, group B: 0). Conclusion: Continuous vertebral fractures were more frequently caused by high energy injury and occurred at thoracolumbar junction compared to discontinuous fractures. But, clinical results were better in discontinuous fractures. Further long term radiologic results were required to treat multiple thoracolumbar vertebral fractures.