Neurologic deficits associated with sacral wing fractures

Twelve of 96 patients with pelvic fractures suffered neurologic deficits. Four secondary to acetabular fractures were excluded from the study. Of the remaining eight, five were found by CT scan to be secondary to fractures of the sacral wing extending through the sacral foramina. On the basis of this study, it is believed that the neurologic injuries were due to sacral root injuries rather than lumbosacral plexus injuries. This concept potentially could lead to surgical approaches for decompression of sacral root trauma.