Cervical Spinal Injury Patients Research Articles

A system of predictive scores to evaluate the risk of multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures in patients with traumatic cervical spine injury.

To develop a predictive scoring system to identify traumatic cervical spine injury patients at a high risk of having multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures. This 12-year retrospective observational cohort study included 588 traumatic cervical spine-injured patients. Patients were categorized into two groups: patients with multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures and patients without this remote injury. Potential risk factors were examined using multivariable analysis to derive a predictive risk score from independent predictors. Results are presented as odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The accuracy of the calculated predicted score was demonstrated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AuROC). The incidence of noncontiguous fracture among the patients was 17% (100 of 588). The independent risk factors associated with multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures were motor weakness, intracranial injury, intrathoracic injury, and intraabdominal injury. The AuROC of the prediction score was 0.74 (95% CI 0.69, 0.80). The patients were classified into three groups, low-risk group (score< 1), moderate-risk group (score 1-2.5), and high-risk group (score≥ 3), based on the predicted risk of multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures. This tool can potentially help preventing the missed diagnosis of cervical spine injuries with multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures. CT scans or MRI of the entire spine to investigate remote multilevel noncontiguous spinal fractures may have a role in cervical spine-injured patients who have at least one of the independent risk factors and are strongly suggested for patients with scores in the high-risk group.

Comparative Analysis of Interbody Cages versus Tricortical Graft in Isolated Traumatic Cervical Spine Injury Patients

Comparative Analysis of Interbody Cages versus Tricortical Graft in Isolated Traumatic Cervical Spine Injury Patients

Effects of Dementia on Outcomes after Cervical Spine Injuries in Elderly Patients: Evaluation of 1512 Cases in a Nationwide Multicenter Study in Japan.

We aimed to retrospectively investigate the demographic characteristics and short-term outcomes of traumatic cervical spine injuries in patients with dementia. We enrolled 1512 patients aged ≥ 65 years with traumatic cervical injuries registered in a multicenter study database. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of dementia, and 95 patients (6.3%) had dementia. Univariate analysis revealed that the dementia group comprised patients who were older and predominantly female and had lower body mass index, higher modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5), lower pre-injury activities of daily living (ADLs), and a larger number of comorbidities than patients without dementia. Furthermore, 61 patient pairs were selected through propensity score matching with adjustments for age, sex, pre-injury ADLs, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale score at the time of injury, and the administration of surgical treatment. In the univariate analysis of the matched groups, patients with dementia had significantly lower ADLs at 6 months and a higher incidence of dysphagia up to 6 months than patients without dementia. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with dementia had a higher mortality than those without dementia until the last follow-up. Dementia was associated with poor ADLs and higher mortality rates after traumatic cervical spine injuries in elderly patients.

Socio-demographic factors, clinico-radiological profile of patients with traumatic cervical spine injury in South India, and its association with short-term clinical outcome.

Spinal cord injury is a devastating condition to an individual and his/her family imposing an economic burden on the family, society, and the country. Finding out the demographic and morbidity profile of cervical spine injuries is essential for formulating means and ways for its prevention and treatment. This study aimed at assessing the clinico-radiological and socio-demographic profile of cervical spine injury patients and their association with short-term clinical outcomes. This was a prospective observational study that included 120 patients with cervical spine/cord injury. Social, demographic, clinical, and radiological parameters of the study participants were recorded. Improvement, worsening, and neurological stability at 2 weeks follow-ups were considered as a short-term outcome. The association of neurological outcomes with clinico-radiological profile and socio-demographic characteristics was analyzed to study the level of significance. The study found that nearly 81% of the study participants were involved in heavy physical activity, and 45% of the cases sustained cervical spine injury because of falls from height. About 37% and 55% of patients had complete and incomplete cord injury, respectively. Computerized tomography of the spine injury patients showed a fracture, subluxation, and locked facets. Magnetic resonance imaging showed disco-ligamentous injury and cord contusion in these patients. Nearly 29% of patients showed motor improvement, and around 4% of patients had a worsening of their neurological status after 2 weeks. Most of the people who sustain cervical spine injuries are involved in heavy physical work. Female gender, incomplete cord injury, and unilateral locked facet in subluxation are associated with good neurological outcomes. This study will form a preliminary base to build a larger database on spinal cord injury at the regional and national levels.

1262: A CURIOUS CASE OF SHOCK AFTER A FALL

Introduction: Neurogenic shock is a rare presentation that follows spinal cord injuries. Bilello et al argued that up to 31% of cervical spine injury patients typically develop this phenomenon (2). However, the diagnosis remains difficult, as patients typically presents following a major injury and hemorrhagic shock cannot be ruled out. Due to its uniqueness and lack of treatment guidelines, it is important to identify neurogenic shock early. Description: A 70-year-old Caucasian female with a past medical history of dementia, recurrent falls, recurrent UTI’s, and well controlled seizures presented to the Emergency Department following an unwitnessed fall. Labs including CBC, lactic acid, BUN/Cr, troponin, and UA were unremarkable. At presentation the patient was hypotensive and bradycardic which progressed despite receiving 6 liters of intravenous fluids and atropine. This prompted an admission to the ICU for IV norepinephrine. Within hours of being on norepinephrine, her blood pressure improved, and she quickly transitioned to oral midodrine. Nonetheless, the bradycardia persisted. Echocardiogram and EKGs were performed and shockingly were without any insight to the persistent bradycardia. CT Head and C-spine, chest X-ray, and MRI-brain w/o contrast were all unremarkable. An MRI of the C-Spine showed cord compression of C3/C4 and C4/C5. It was at this point that neurosurgery was consulted to evaluate the patient for surgery. Discussion: Our case is unique in that the etiology of the shock is unclear. Neurogenic shock is understood to be a product of both primary and secondary spinal cord injury; a direct damage to the axons that often leads to vascular insult or edema, leading to loss of sympathetic tone3. Typically, this is seen following major traumatic accidents or repeated falls. While our patient does have an inciting factor, the imaging findings seem to infer that there was a baseline chronic degenerative disease, exacerbated by the fall, that resulted in cord compression. Management of neurogenic shock centers around ample fluid resuscitation followed by vasopressor as needed with MAP goals 85-904 for 7 days. However, guidelines are less clear on the best agents, with most recommending a drug that targets both alpha and beta receptors1.

Characteristics of Cervical Spine Injuries Caused by Industrial Accidents: The Experience of a Single Regional Trauma Center in South Korea

Objective: This study examined the characteristics of patients with cervical spine injuries caused by industrial accidents and analyzed the factors related to mortality.Methods: In total, 424 patients with cervical spine injuries who visited our hospital from 2016 to 2020 were divided into an industrial accident and non-industrial accident groups. Age, sex, fracture severity, facet injury, high cervical injury, spinal epidural hematoma, spinal cord injury, shock, arrival route, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), mortality, and trauma mechanism were compared between the two groups. Regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting mortality.Results: Industrial accident patients significantly differed from the rest of the study population in terms of the sex ratio (male ratio, 95.1% vs. 77.8%; p&lt;0.001), arrival route (direct transport, 61.2% vs. 50.9%; p=0.017), and trauma mechanism (p&lt;0.001). Among the trauma mechanisms, falls had the largest difference between industrial accident patients and all patients (55.3% and 28.1%, respectively). Significant associations with mortality were found for falls (odds ratio [OR], 22.330; p=0.015), ISS (OR, 1.056; p=0.008), GCS &lt;9 (OR, 0.014; p&lt;0.001), and shock (OR, 7.290; p&lt;0.001).Conclusion: Falls were the most frequent trauma mechanism of cervical spine injuries in patients who experienced industrial accidents. The factors significantly correlated with mortality were falls, ISS, GCS &lt;9, and shock.

A comparative study of the C-MAC D-blade videolaryngoscope and McCoy laryngoscope for oro-tracheal intubation with manual in-line stabilization of neck in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery.

Airway management in cervical spine injury patients requires manual in-line stabilization (MILS) of the neck to avoid exacerbation of cord injury, which impedes visualization of glottis during laryngoscopy. Specially designed blades such as McCoy and C-MAC D-blades can improve laryngoscopic view in such patients. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of C-MAC D-blades and the McCoy laryngoscope for oro-tracheal intubation using MILS in patients undergoing cervical spine surgery. This randomized, prospective study was performed in 60 adult patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-III, either sex, 18 to 60 years of age undergoing elective cervical spine surgery. Patients were randomly categorized into two groups, group D and group M. Intubation was performed using a C-MAC D-blade videolaryngoscope in group D and a McCoy laryngoscope in group M using MILS. The intubation difficulty scale (IDS) score, laryngoscopy and intubation times, percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, Cormack Lehane (CL) grading with and without external laryngeal pressure (ELP), need for bougie or change of blade or operator, and change in hemodynamics following intubation were recorded. Group D showed lower mean IDS scores than group M (P value < 0.0001). There were statistically significant differences found in duration of laryngoscopy (group D < group M), CL grading without ELP (group D: CL-1,2a >CL-2b, 3; group M: CL-1,2a <CL-2b, 3), mean POGO scores without ELP (group D > group M), need for ELP and lifting force (group D < group M), and hemodynamic responses after intubation (group D < group M). A C-MAC D-blade videolaryngoscope provides better and rapid visualization of glottis with less intubation difficulties than a McCoy laryngoscope during intubation using MILS in patients with cervical spine injury.

Safety and Feasibility of Very Early Bronchoscopy-assisted Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Anterior Cervical Spine Fixation Patients.

Anterior cervical spine fixation (ACSF) is a common mode of stabilization of cervical spine injuries. These patients usually need a prolonged mechanical ventilation, so an early tracheostomy is beneficial for them. However, it is often delayed due to the close proximity to the surgical site, due to the concerns of infection, and increased bleeding. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is also considered a relative contraindication due to the inability to achieve adequate neck extension. The objectives of our study are to assess the:Feasibility of performing a very early percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in cervical spine injury patients, post-anterior cervical spine fixation.Safety in doing so with regard to surgical-site infection, early, and late complications.Benefits with regard to outcome measures like ventilator days and length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent anterior cervical spine fixation and bedside percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in our ICU from 1st January 2015 to 31st March 2021. Out of the 269 patients admitted to our ICU with cervical spine pathology, 84 were included in the study. About 40.4% patients had injury above C5 level (n-34) and 59.5% had below C5 level. About 86.9% patients had ASIA-A neurology. In our study, percutaneous tracheostomy was done at an average of 2.8 days from the cervical spine fixation. Average length of ventilator days post-tracheostomy was 8.32 days, ICU stay was 10.5 days, and hospital stay was 28.6 days. One patient developed anterior surgical-site infection. We conclude from our study that a very early percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy can be done in post-anterior cervical spine fixation patients as early as within 3 days without significant complications. Paul AL, Varaham R, Balaraman K, Rajasekaran S, Balasubramani VM. Safety and Feasibility of Very Early Bronchoscopy-assisted Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy in Anterior Cervical Spine Fixation Patients. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(10):1086-1090.

Potential clinical impact of metagenomic next-generation sequencing of plasma for cervical spine injury with sepsis in intensive care unit: A retrospective study.

Cervical spine injury (CSI) accounts for significant mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU), whereas sepsis remains one of the major causes of death in patients with CSI. However, there is no effective method to diagnose sepsis timely. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) on the pathogen features and the prognostic prediction of CSI patients with sepsis. A total of 27 blood samples from 17 included patients were tested by mNGS. Data of mNGS were compared with the conventional culture method. The Kaplan–Meier plots were used to visualize survival curves. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors for survival. Results showed that mNGS detected a wide spectrum of pathogens in CSI patients with sepsis, including 129 bacterial species, 8 viral species, and 51 fungal species. mNGS indicated 85.2% positive results, while the conventional culture method only showed 11.1% positive results in the blood samples. Further analyses revealed that mNGS had no prognostic effect on the septic CSI patients in ICU, whereas positive results of blood culture were closely correlated with an increased hazard ratio (HR) (HR 77.7067, 95%CI 2.860–2641.4595, p = 0.0155). Our results suggested that the mNGS application may provide evidence for clinicians to use antibiotics when a CSI case is diagnosed with sepsis.

Comparative evaluation of ease of tracheal intubation using Airtraq and intubating laryngeal mask airway with cervical spine immobilization

Tracheal intubation in cervical spine injury patients with application of Manual In Line Stabilization (MILS) of the cervical spine in neutral position is a challenge for the anesthesiologist since it makes visualization of the larynx more difficult using conventional laryngoscopy. Our study was conducted to compare ease of intubation using Airtraq and Intubating laryngeal mask airway(ILMA) in simulated cervical spine injury patient using MILS.100 ASA I/II patients (without cervical spine injury), aged 18-60 years were randomly allocated in two groups -Group A: Airtraq (n=50), Group I: ILMA (n=50). General anaesthesia was given as per standard protocol in all the patients, after that MILS was applied and patients intubated using Airtraq in group A and ILMA in group I with neck in neutral position. Time taken for intubation, number of attempts for intubation, ease of intubation with Airtraq/ILMA, hemodynamics and complications were compared.The mean time taken for intubation in the Group A was 12.6 ± 6.6 seconds and in the Group, I was 85.8 ± 36.6 seconds (p&amp;#60;0.001). Number of intubations attempts in Group A was significantly less as compared to the Group I (p= 0.027).Airtraq is a safer and faster alternative when compared to ILMA in patients with simulated cervical spine injury using manual in line stabilization.

Spinal fractures and/or spinal cord injuries are associated with orthopedic and internal organ injuries in proximity to the spinal injury

Backgroundthe demographics, mechanisms of injury, and concurrent injuries associated with cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal fracture and/or spinal cord injury remain poorly characterized. MethodsPatients aged 18 and older with spinal injury between 2011 and 2015 in the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) were identified. Patient demographics, comorbidity burden, mechanism of injury, and associated injuries were analyzed. Resultsin total, 520,183 patients with acute spinal injury were identified including 216,522 cervical, 191,218 thoracic, and 220,294 lumbar. The age distributions were trimodal with peaks in incidence at around 2155 and a lesser peak around 85 years of age. The number of comorbidities increased while injury severity decreased with advancing patient age. Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) were the most common mechanism of injury. Associated bony and internal organ injuries were common and occurred in 63% of cervical spine injury patients, 79% of thoracic spine injury patients, and 71% of lumbar spine injury patients. In all three sub-populations, there was a predominance of injuries in the local area of the primary injury. For cervical, these were rib injuries (28%), thoracic spine injuries (22%), skull fractures (20%), intracranial injuries (26%) and lung injuries (21%). For thoracic, these were rib injuries (47%), lumbar spine injuries (26%), cervical spine injuries (25%), lung injuries (35%) and intracranial injuries (24%). For lumbar, these were rib injuries (38%), thoracic spine injuries (22%), pelvic fractures (20%), lung injuries (26%) and intracranial injuries (19%). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that increased injury severity was strongly correlated with increased mortality, with lesser contributions from increased age and comorbidity burden. Conclusionsthe current study revealed spinal fractures and/or cord injuries had high incidences of associated injuries that had a predominance of local distribution. These findings, in combination with the mortality analysis, demonstrate the importance of local targeted evaluations for associated injuries.

Cervical spine injuries in facial fracture patients − injury mechanism and fracture type matter

Evidence supports the notion that craniofacial fractures are significant predictors of cervical spine injuries (CSIs), but some debate remains on the injury mechanism of co-existing CSIs in craniofacial fractures and the relationship between CSI and specific facial fractures. In this retrospective study, we aim to assess the incidence rates of specific facial fracture types as well as other important variables and their relationship with CSIs. The primary outcome variable, CSI, and several predictor variables, including facial fracture type, were evaluated with logistic regression analyses. Of 2919 patients, the total CSI incidence rate was 3.0%. Rates of CSI in patients with isolated mandibular fractures (OR 0.26 CI 0.10, 0.63; p = 0.006) were lower than those previously reported, whereas isolated nasal fractures were strongly associated with CSI (OR 2.67 CI 1.36, 5.22; p = 0.004). Patients with concomitant cranial injuries were twice as likely to have CSI (OR 2.00, CI 1.22, 3.27; p = 0.006). Even though there is a strong occurrence rate of CSIs in patients with cranial injuries, clinicians should be aware that patients presenting with isolated facial fractures are at significant risk for sustaining CSIs also.

C-spine clearance in poly-trauma patients: A narrative review

The incidence of cervical spine injury in patients with polytrauma is 3.7%. Early identification and management of cervical spine injuries in these patients play a crucial role in preventing secondary cervical spine and cord injuries. C-spine clearance assumes a pivotal role in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with cervical spine injury. Despite the availability of various validated management algorithms and protocols for C-spine clearance, there are several controversies regarding C-spine clearance, such as the ideal protocol and imaging modality, clearance of obtunded patients and management of patients that lie out of the described protocols and rules. The current article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the relevant literature and address the prevalent controversies.

Cervical Spine Injuries in Pediatric Maxillofacial Trauma: An Under-Recognized Problem.

Pediatric cervical spine injuries (CSI) are uncommon events, but can be devastating injuries. Facial fractures have been associated with injuries to the cervical spine in children, but may be deemed isolated facial fractures and bypass the standard trauma pathway. The objective of this study is to describe the mechanisms, associated injuries and outcomes of pediatric cervical spine injuries in patients with known maxillofacial trauma at a level 1 trauma center. An analysis was performed of all patients under the age of 18 with maxillofacial trauma admissions to a single level 1 trauma center, from 2006 to 2015. Patients were stratified based on the presence or absence of a cervical spine injury. Data was abstracted to include demographic, mechanism and clinical outcomes data. There were 1274 patients who were admitted with maxillofacial trauma during the study period. Of these, 72 (5.7%) experienced a cervical spine injury. Factors associated with cervical spine injuries include older age and penetrating mechanism. Cervical spine injuries were associated with concomitant traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures. Patients with spine injuries were more like to experience a longer length of stay and death. On multivariate analysis, only increased age predicted CSI. Our database demonstrated a 5.7% incidence of pediatric cervical spine injuries in patients with maxillofacial trauma. This incidence is higher than previously published reports of smaller cohorts. Clinicians must take care to stabilize the cervical spine in any patient with facial fractures, especially during work up and diagnostic maneuvers performed before spinal injuries are ruled out.

Rib Hyperostosis as a Risk Factor for Poor Prognosis in Cervical Spine Injury Patients With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis.

Retrospective multi-center study. To identify the morphological features of costovertebral joints and ribs in surgically managed cervical injury patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and to examine its impact on their vital prognosis. Several reports have indicated that DISH is an independent risk factor for mortality after spinal fracture. The reason for the high mortality in cervical injury patients with DISH is unclear, although some reports have suggested a possible association between pulmonary complications and mortality. From 1999 to 2017, a total of 50 DISH patients (44 males) with cervical spine injuries who underwent spinal surgery were enrolled (average age 74 yrs). Prognosis and clinical risk factor data were collected; the morphological features of the patients' costovertebral joints and ribs were evaluated with computed tomography. The influence of each proposed risk factor and thoracic morphological feature on mortality was tested with univariate and multivariate analyses. The survival rate at 5 years after surgery was 52.3%. Nineteen (38%) patients died, and the most common cause of death was pneumonia (68%). Costovertebral bone excrescences and rib hyperostosis were found to be thoracic pathognomonic signs; their frequencies were 94% and 82%, respectively, and these conditions occurred in an average of 7.0 joints and 4.7 bones, respectively. The results of the log-rank test showed a significant difference in age, injury severity score (ISS), costovertebral bone excrescences, and rib hyperostosis. The results of age-adjusted multivariate analysis indicated that age (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-68.28, P = 0.041) and rib hyperostosis (HR = 3.82, 95% CI = 1.38-10.57, P = 0.010) were associated with mortality. Reduced chest wall mobility associated with rib hyperostosis in cervical spine injury patients with DISH leads to a poor prognosis. 3.

鈍的頸椎損傷に合併する椎骨動脈閉塞症例の検討(Vertebral artery occlusion associated with blunt traumatic cervical spine injury)

要旨【目的】鈍的頸椎損傷に合併する椎骨動脈損傷（以下VAI）は，時に重篤な脳梗塞を生じるが，確立された治療指針はない。我々は不安定型頸椎損傷に合併する椎骨動脈閉塞の症例を血管内治療の適応とし，整復固定術前に塞栓術を行ってきた。当院のVAI症例を検討し，椎骨動脈閉塞症例に対する塞栓術や長期予後について報告する。【対象】2015年1月～2018年4月に入院加療を行った全鈍的頸椎外傷症例を対象とした。頭頸部造影CT検査にてVAIの合併を認めた症例について，患者背景，頸椎損傷の形態，Denver grade，治療内容，脳梗塞合併の有無を後方視的に検討した。【結果】対象の鈍的頸椎外傷患者は89例で，15例（16.7%）にVAIを合併した。VAI患者の平均年齢は62.6歳で，半数が転倒転落を受傷機転とした。VAIの原因となった頸椎損傷は①亜脱臼，②環椎破裂骨折，③横突起骨折の3つであった。Denver grade IVの症例が最も多く12例であり，うち整復固定術を必要とした9例に血管内治療を行い，入院中および退院後のフォローにおいて明らかな脳梗塞を生じた症例は認めなかった。【結語】不安定性頸椎損傷に合併する椎骨動脈閉塞症例に対する整復固定術前の予防的塞栓術は，脳梗塞発症の予防に有効な治療手段となる可能性がある。

A Retrospective Epidemiological Study of Patients Hospitalized with Spinal Cord Injury in Dalian Port Hospital from 2017 to 2019

Background: spinal cord injury is a common traumatic disease. More than 90% of spinal cord injuries are caused by trauma, such as traffic accidents, violence, physical confrontation, sports, etc. Although spinal cord injury is more common and closely related to our life, it is a difficult project to investigate the epidemiological factors of spinal cord injury. In China, there is a lack of national epidemiological analysis of spinal cord injury, and the epidemiological study of spinal cord injury in different cities in China shows different characteristics. Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of spinal cord injury and discuss the corresponding treatment. Method: Based on various domestic and foreign literatures on spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 137 patients with spinal cord injury admitted to Dalian Port Hospital from 2017 to 2019. Results: The average age of spinal cord injury was 53.92 years. The ratio of male to female patients was 2.83:1; The number of male patients aged 60-69 (30.30%) and female patients aged over 70 (28.57%) was the largest. The injury site of male spinal cord was the most in the neck (54.6%), female the most in the waist (40.6%), followed by the neck (34.4%). In choice of surgical treatment of patients with cervical spine injury patients most (52%), and anterior surgery (43.1%), followed by posterior (35.4%), and thoracic spinal cord injury without anterior surgery patients, most patients (83.3%), posterior surgery patients with lumbar segment damage up to use the posterior surgery (83.3%), a few patients with anterior surgery (6.7%).

Diagnostic Value of Bedside Ultrasound for Detecting Cervical Spine Injuries in Patients with Severe Multiple Trauma

Background: Early cervical spine clearance is very important in trauma settings. Waiting for cervical spine clearance by CT scan mandates prolonged cervical spine immobilization and consequently, the delay in subsequent emergency procedures in polytrauma patients.Objectives: The study aimed to assess the value of cervical spine ultrasonography (US) for detecting cervical spine injuries in severe polytrauma patients.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 172 severe polytrauma patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of 14 year) age groups.Results: Bedside US had a sensitivity of 74.5%, specificity of 97.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 92.1%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 91%, and accuracy of 91.3% in detecting spinal injuries in comparison with CT findings. Moreover, US had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 87.6, PPV of 50%, NPV of 100%, and accuracy of 88.9% in detecting spinal injuries with the movement of fractured or dislocated particles. Also, it had a sensitivity of 33.3%, specificity of 87.58, PPV of 100%, NPV of 97.2%, and accuracy of 97.2% in ≤14-year-old patients. The modality had a sensitivity of 76.2%, specificity of 94.7, PPV of 91.4%, NPV of 84.4%, and accuracy of 86.9% in > 14-year-old patients.Conclusions: The diagnostic value of bedside US was higher in adults and injured patients with the movement of fractured or dislocated particles.

Frequency of cervical spine injuries in patients with midface fractures

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the frequency and risk factors for cervical spine injury (CSI) in patients with midface fractures. Patients ≥18 years of age entered in the Massachusetts General Hospital Trauma Registry from 2007 to 2017 were identified. Those with a midface fracture, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine, and complete medical records were included. There were 23,394 patients in the registry; 3950 (16.9%) had craniomaxillofacial fractures and 1822 (7.8%) had a CSI. Craniomaxillofacial fractures included fractures of the midface (n=2803, 71.0%), mandible (n=873, 22.1%), and midface plus mandible (n=274, 6.9%). The overall frequency of CSI in patients with midface fractures was 11.4% (350/3077). Patients with midface fractures had a higher risk for CSI compared to patients without a midface fracture (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.1–2.4, P<0.001). In a multivariate model, nasal and orbital fractures, chest injuries, age, injury severity score, and motor vehicle crash or fall as the etiology were independent risk factors for CSI. Mortality was two times higher in subjects with CSI. Early and accurate diagnosis of CSI is a critical factor when planning the treatment of patients with these fractures.

AOSpine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System: The Relationship Between Injury Morphology, Admission Injury Severity, and Long-Term Neurologic Outcome

The AOSpine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System was introduced to improve communication, clinical management, and research. Here, the system was studied in relation to injury severity along with admission and long term neurologic follow-up. A retrospective study was performed in subaxial cervical spine injury patients. Morphology was classified using the AOSpine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System. Six major morphology subtypes were selected for analysis. The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor and Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) scores were recorded at admission and at follow-up >6 months. Admission intramedullary lesion length (IMLL) on MRI was recorded. In all, 82 patients met criteria for analysis. The mean follow-up time was 11 months (range, 6-33 months). The were 36 patients with morphology subtypes A0, 4 with A1/A2, 9 with A3/A4, 8 with B2, 11 with B3, and 14 with C. The A1/2 subtype had the least severe injuries on admission. The C and A3/A4 subtypes had the most severe injuries. The subtype C had the lowest ASIA Motor Score (AMS) and second highest percentage of complete injuries. A3/A4 patients had the highest percentage of complete injuries on admission. At follow-up, A3/A4 patients had the lowest AMS, and 33% of patients continued to have complete injuries. C subtype injuries all converted to AIS incomplete injuries on follow-up (P= 0.04). IMLL was found to be significantly different compared across multiple morphologic subtypes. Surgical management for each morphology subtype was reported. The AOSpine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System successfully associated injury morphology with IMLL along with admission and long-term neurologic function and recovery.