Value of CT Scanning in Diagnosis of Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebra Bursting Fracture

Objective To evaluate the value of CT scann in g in thoracic and lumbar vertebra bursting fracture.Medthod The image and the clinical data of 40 cases of thoracic and lumbar vertebra burstin g fracture were analyzed.The thickness of scanning slice was 5mm in all patients .Results The following signs were found by CT scanning:concentr ic burst of the vertebral body,decrease of vertebral height,vertical or horizont al crack of vertebral body,spinal canal stricture due to displace of fracture pi eces,lamina fracture occasionally accompanied by fractures of transverse,spinous and articular process and/or vertebral body fracture.Neurologic deficit was rel ated to the severity of spinal stricture.Conclusions CT scannin g can display the signs of thoracic and lumbar bursting fracture and the severit y of spinal canal stricture clearly.It plays an important role in the diagnosis of thoracic and lumbar vertebra bursting fracture,the evaluation of spinal cord injury and the selection of treatment.