Clinical characteristics and treatment of fracture-dislocation of thoracic spine with or without minimal spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND: It is important to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of posterior internal fixation using pedicle screw system. OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine with or without minimal spinal cord. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with fracture-dislocation of thoracic spine with or without minimal spinal cord injury were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received posterior reduction and internal fixation using pedicle screw system. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 11.4 months. Among 28 patients, 24 cases were complicated with bilateral pedicle or laminal fracture. Preoperatively, the percentage of vertebral displacement was (32.1 ± 20.6)%, significantly declined to (7.5 ± 6.0)% (t= 4.575, P= 0.001) and maintained at (7.9 ± 6.3)% at the final follow-up. Preoperative local kyphosis angle was measured as (16.2 ± 11.3)∘, restored to (15.4 ± 5.9)∘ postoperatively and (15.8 ± 5.4)∘ during the final follow-up. No statistical significance was observed at three time points (all P> 0.05). The remaining 25 patients were evaluated with normal and complete neurological function. No severe complications were observed intra- and postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior internal fixation using pedicle screw is an efficacious and safe therapy which achieves proper reduction and preserves spinal cord function.