Thoracic spine fractures
Deluca, S.A.
American Family Physician 42(2): 419-421
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-838X PMID: 2382602 Document Number: 362673
Diagnosis of thoracic spine fractures in patients with multiple trauma requires careful evaluation of the chest radiograph. Primary findings, consisting of a fracture line through the vertebral bodies, decreased height of the vertebral body, an increase in the interpediculate distance and misalignment of the vertebral bodies, may all be noted on the anteroposterior supine chest radiograph. Early diagnosis and intervention may prevent a catastrophic neurologic event, such as spinal cord or nerve root damage.