Paediatric cervical spine injures. Nineteen years experience of a single centre

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

da Silva, MR (Author) Other; Linhares, D (Author) Other; Rodrigues, PC (Author) Other; Monteiro, EL (Author) Other; Carvalho, MS (Author) Other; Negaro, P (Author) Other; Pinto, RP (Author) Other; Neves, N (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: International Orthopaedics

Vol. 40

Pages: 1111-1116

ISSN: 0341-2695

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 12 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-CQQ

DOI: 10.1007/s00264-016-3158-7

Abstract (EN): Purpose This observational study aims to describe pediatric C-spine injuries from a level 1 trauma centre through a period of 19 years. Methods Clinical records of pediatric trauma patients admitted to a level 1 trauma centre between 1991 and 2009 were analyzed. Patients were stratified by age into groups A (8 or less) and B (9 to 16), and in lower (C0-C2) and upper (C3-C7) spine injuries. Several variables were studied. Results Seventy-five cases of C-spine injuries (nine SCIWORA) were identified. Group A included 23 patients and group B 52. In group A, skeletal injuries at the upper C-spine were more common than injuries at the lower C-spine, whereas in group B, injuries of the lower C-spine were more frequent (p = 0.035). Motor vehicle accidents were the main cause of injury (44 %); 25.3 % of patients were surgically treated. Thirty-nine patients presented neurologic deficits, 16 of which improved. The overall mortality rate was 18.7 % and significantly higher in patients with neurological damages (p < 0.001) Conclusions This study revealed a low incidence of cervical spine injuries in the paediatric population. As in previous reports younger children mainly sustained injuries at the upper C-spine, higher incidence of spinal injuries, and higher risk of death than older children.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6