Key points in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AO type C thoracolumbar fractures without obvious displacement

VernacularTitle:无明显移位AO分型C型胸腰椎骨折的诊治要点
Author: Jinpeng DU ¹ ; Shilin XUE ; Baorong HE
Author Information

1. 西安交通大学医学院附属红会医院脊柱外科，西安　710054
Keywords: Spinal fractures; Thoracic vertebrae; Lumbar vertebrae; AO classification
From: Chinese Journal of Trauma 2024;40(11):987-991
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: AO type C thoracolumbar fractures are the most serious type of spinal fractures. Among them, the non-displaced type C fractures are easy to be misdiagnosed and mistreated because of their atypical imaging manifestations and few associated neurological symptoms, which ultimately lead to serious consequences such as treatment failure and paralysis. MRI examination is crucial for a correct diagnosis, but most orthopedic surgeons make a diagnosis largely based on the results of X-ray and CT examinations, in which type C fractures are easily misdiagnosed as type B. Non-displaced type C fractures involve three-column injuries and require surgical treatment, for which the key is to fully reconstruct the stability of the three columns. However, in the current clinical practice, it is common to use simple posterior fixation only, resulting in treatment failure. To this end, the authors conducted an in-depth discussion on the diagnosis and treatment of non-displaced AO type C thoracolumbar fractures, aiming to improve orthopedic clinicians ′ understanding and awareness of their significance.