[State of the vertebral canal in vertebral and spinal cord injuries]

The results of the analysis of 128 patients who had died after trauma of the spine and spinal cord are discussed. Total disturbance of the anatomical intactness of the vertebral canal walls was demonstrated on all specimens. In 85% of patients there were fractures with or without displacement of the injured vertebra; 15% of patients had suffered injury only to the ligamentous-capsular apparatus, the disk included, with no displacement--dislocation of the vertebra. The shape of the vertebral canal was distorted only in cases with displacement of the vertebra. The area of the canal was reduced to almost half the size demonstrated on the radiograms.