Neurologic injury and recovery patterns in burst fractures at the T12 or L1 motion segment

Fourteen consecutive patients with burst fractures at T12 or L1, partial paralysis, and more than 30% canal compromise were prospectively evaluated pretreatment and posttreatment with roentgenograms to determine the initial fracture pattern, CT scans to determine the percent canal compromise and subsequent improvement, and a quantitative motor trauma index scale and bladder sphincter evaluation to determine neurologic recovery. The follow-up period averaged 32 months (range, 12-50 months). Treatment was as follows: nonoperative (three patients), Harrington rods and fusion (seven patients), and Harrington rods and fusion followed by anterior decompression and fusion (four patients). The initial severity of paralysis did not correlate with the initial fracture roentgenographic pattern or the amount of initial CT canal compromise. Neurologic recovery did not correlate with the treatment method or amount of canal decompression. Subsequent recovery did correlate with the initial fracture pattern. If the patient had a Type I or Type II fracture (both greater than 15 degrees kyphosis), greater than 90% neurologic recovery occurred, regardless of treatment. If the patient had a Type III fracture (less than 15 degrees kyphosis and the maximal canal compromise where bone encircles the canal) less than 50% neurologic recovery occurred. If the patient had a Type IV fracture (less than or equal to 15 degrees kyphosis and the maximal canal compromise at the level of the ligamentum flavum), the neurologic recovery was variable. Prognosis for neurologic recovery can be made based on initial roentgenograms. If greater than 15 degrees kyphosis is present, there is a good prognosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)