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[Pediatric spine trauma-Results of a German national multicenter study including 367 patients]
Jan-Sven Jarvers1, Christian Herren2, Matthias K Jung3
1Klinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland.
Insights
This study provides the first epidemiological data on pediatric spinal injuries in Germany, revealing distinct injury patterns and treatment preferences compared to adults. Findings aid in improving diagnostics and treatment for children with spinal trauma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Traumatology
- Spinal Injury Epidemiology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Pediatric spinal injuries are rare, with limited epidemiological data available in Germany.
- Accurate diagnosis in children is challenging due to difficulties in medical history, examination, and imaging.
- Comprehensive data analysis is crucial for effective management of pediatric spinal trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish epidemiological data for pediatric spinal trauma in Germany.
- To inform and improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for pediatric spinal injuries.
- To provide a basis for future research and clinical decision-making.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, multicenter study involving 6 German spine centers.
- Data collected over 7 years (January 2010 - December 2016).
- Analysis included demographics, trauma mechanisms, injury levels, accompanying injuries, diagnostics, and treatment.
Main Results:
- 367 children with 610 spinal injuries were analyzed; mean age 12 years.
- Common trauma mechanisms included falls and traffic accidents.
- Cervical spine injuries were more prevalent in younger children (0-9 years), while thoracic/lumbar injuries occurred in older children (>10 years).
- Accompanying head and extremity injuries were frequent; conservative treatment was used in ~75% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric spinal trauma epidemiology in Germany differs from adult patterns.
- Findings highlight unique aspects of pediatric spinal injuries, informing clinical practice.
- This data enhances decision-making for diagnosing and treating pediatric spinal trauma.
Background:
In general, pediatric spinal injuries are rare. No reliable data on the epidemiology of spinal injuries in pediatric patients in Germany are available. Especially in pediatric patients, for whom the medical history, clinical examination and the performance of imaging diagnostics are difficult to obtain, all available information on a spinal injury must be taken into account.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological data for pediatric patients with spinal trauma in Germany in order to enhance future decision-making for the diagnostics and treatment of these patients.
Material And Methods:
Within the framework of a national multicenter study, data were retrospectively obtained from 6 German spine centers for 7 years between January 2010 and December 2016. In addition to the demographic data, the clinical databases were screened for specific trauma mechanisms, level of injury as well as accompanying injuries. Furthermore, diagnostic imaging and the treatment selected were also analyzed.
Results:
A total of 367 children (female: male = 1:1.2) with a total of 610 spinal injuries were included in this study. The mean age was 12 years (±3.5 years). The most frequent trauma mechanisms were falls from <3 m and traffic accidents. The imaging diagnostics were only rarely carried out with the child under anesthesia. Younger children (0-9 years old) suffered more injuries to the cervical spine, whereas injuries to the thoracic and lumbar spine were more frequently found in older children (>10 years old). The children frequently showed accompanying injuries to the head and the extremities. Accompanying spinal injuries mostly occurred in adjacent regions and only rarely in other regions. Around 75% of the children were treated conservatively.
Conclusion:
The results were different from the knowledge obtained from adult patients with spinal trauma and describe the special circumstances for pediatric patients with spinal trauma. Despite certain limitations these facts may help to enhance future decision-making for the diagnostics and treatment of these patients.
