Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery, cilt.32, sa.3, ss.111-115, 2021 (Hakemli Dergi)
Traumas are major causes of morbidity and mortality(1). In addition to spine injuries detected in 23.2% of post-trauma cases, 4.4% of patients had thoracic or lumbar vertebral fractures(2,3). Injury to the spine does not always develop as an isolated trauma. An injury to the adjacent organs, which can cause life-threatening complications, increases the complexity of the trauma of this region(4). Approximately 65% of thoracolumbar fractures are caused by motor vehicle accidents and falls from height, while others are due to blows and sports injuries(5). Spine injuries caused by a high-energy trauma are accompanied by serious tissue injuries, such as rib fractures, pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemopericardium, diaphragmatic rupture, and major vascular injury(6,7). However, pulmonary complications are often responsible for the morbidity and mortality in these cases(8). Time is critical in managing the injury because there is a high risk of developing one or more life-threatening complications(9). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between spinal injury and chest damage as well as its significance by analyzing chest injuries accompanying severe blunt spinal trauma.