Computed Tomography of Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma

Thoracolumbar spine trauma typically occurs when high-energy forces damage bony and ligamentous spinal structures and, in severe cases, the spinal cord. These injuries often cause considerable neurological deficits as a result of the damage. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice for determining injury severity in most victims of multiple trauma. In addition to describing various types of thoracolumbar trauma, this article discusses the role of CT in emergency diagnosis and management of thoracolumbar injuries.