Journal of spinal disorders & techniques
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J Spinal Disord Tech · Oct 2013
Multiple-level noncontiguous spinal fractures: difference between the young and the elderly.
We retrospectively reviewed the hospital records of all patients with multiple-level noncontiguous spinal fractures (MLNSF) at university-affiliated hospitals between January 2001 and May 2011 (n=213). The variables assessed included age, sex, spinal fracture mechanism, anatomic distribution, neurological deficit, and associated injury. ⋯ Of all the patients with MLNSF, the risk of noncontiguous spinal fractures with neurological deficit and associated injuries in the elderly patients was lower than that among young patients. The thoracic+lumbar region was the most common region of injury among all patients, and the cervical+thoracic region was more commonly injured among young patients. Clinicians should make their diagnoses and direct their injury prevention strategies according to the characteristics of MLNSF in a specific age group.