Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Using Sagittal Alignment Screws and A Trauma Reduction Device
Published on: November 8, 2024
Effect of Thoracolumbar Vertebral Body Fractures on the Prognosis of Dropped Head Syndrome
Takayuki Kobayashi1, Kenji Endo1, Hirosuke Nishimura1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
Introduction:
In dropped head syndrome (DHS), the factors contributing to the prognosis due to conservative treatment have been unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of spinal malalignment due to pre-existing thoracolumbar vertebral fractures on the improvement rate of conservative treatment of DHS.
Methods:
Overall, 90 patients with DHS who visited our hospital and underwent conservative treatment for 6 months were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups, Group F with and Group N without thoracolumbar vertebral fracture, and their improvement rate and spinal parameters were compared and statistically examined.
Results:
Group F had a significantly larger sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI-LL). Cervicothoracic spine alignment did not differ between Groups F and N. The improvement rate of Group F was significantly lower than that of Group N (Group F: 18.8%, Group N: 54.1%).
Conclusions:
DHS with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture has significantly large SVA and PI-LL, which would be a poor prognostic factor of conservative treatment.
