Cervical spinal trauma

Abstract

Over the past years, significant advances have taken place in basic research, imaging, and in the treatment of cervical spine injuries. The pathophysiological understanding of spinal cord injury has been considerably improved by basic research. Spinal cord damage occurs as a result of primary mechanical insult of secondary ischemic and biochemical tissular alterations. Twenty percent of patients with a major spine injury will have a second spine injury at another level. Such lesions include arterial dissections. These patients often suffer simultaneous but unrelated chest or abdominal injuries. Current management of spinal trauma is based on four principles: timely diagnosis, fracture reduction, spinal cord decompression, and efficient immobilization to permit healing. Numerous methods of treatment have been developed to achieve anatomical alignment and optimal stability without decreasing vertebral column flexibility. It is still unclear which form of diagnosis and treatment of the primary and secondary damage is best suited to cervical spine trauma.