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Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma

  • Chapter
Spinal Imaging

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

The thoracolumbar spine refers to the region encompassing the thoracic (T1–T12) and lumbar (L1–L5) spinal segments. The most commonly injured region of the spine is the thoracolumbar junction (T10-L2). About 16% of thoracolumbar injuries occur between T1 and T10, 52% between T11 and L1, and 32% be tween L1 and L5 (Burgos et al. 1988; Carpenter 1991; Kraus et al. 1975). Typically, the injuries are sustained by middle-aged and younger individuals and are caused by high energy trauma such as motor vehicle accidents. Less often, the injuries are due to a fall from a height or industrial accidents (Burgos et al. 1988; Carpenter 1991). Males have a four-fold higher risk than females. Injuries due to sports and recreational activities are more common in children and adolescents (Hubbard 1974; Keene 1987). Low energy injuries resulting in osteoporotic compression fractures are more common in elderly individuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, Jackson Memorial Hospital/Miller School of Medicine, 1611 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Rita G. Bhatia MD & Brian C. Bowen MD, PhD

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  1. Rita G. Bhatia MD
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  2. Brian C. Bowen MD, PhD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerpen, Wilrijkstraat, 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium

    Johan W. M. Van Goethem MD, PhD , Luc van den Hauwe MD  & Paul M. Parizel MD, PhD ,  & 

  2. Department of Radiology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Nikolaas, Moerlandstraat 1, 9100, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

    Johan W. M. Van Goethem MD, PhD

  3. Department of Radiology, AZ KLINA, Augustijnslei 100, 2930, Brasschaat, Belgium

    Luc van den Hauwe MD

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Bhatia, R.G., Bowen, B.C. (2007). Thoracolumbar Spine Trauma. In: Van Goethem, J.W.M., van den Hauwe, L., Parizel, P.M. (eds) Spinal Imaging. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68483-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68483-1_13

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