An Observational Study to Evaluate the Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics, and Initial Prognosis of Traumatic Spinal Injury

Description

Abstract (English)

Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the epidemiology, clinical features and early outcome in traumatic
spine injuries at a tertiary hospital in Bihar region.
Material & Methods: The current investigation was a single-center, prospective, observational research
undertaken at the Department of Orthopedics. The trial lasted from October 2019 through August 2022. The
research had a total of 200 participants.
Results: Among the sample of 200 patients, a significant proportion of individuals were between the age range
of 51-60 years (32%) and 41-50 years (30%). The average age of the participants was 53.57 years. The study
population consisted mostly of male patients, accounting for 75% of the total, with the remaining 25% being
female patients. In the current research, a significant proportion of traumatic spinal injuries were attributed to road
traffic accidents (53%), with falls from heights (45%) and incidents of assault (2%) being other causes. The
preponderance of spine fractures was seen at the cervical vertebral level (42%), with the lumbar vertebral level
accounting for the second highest proportion (28%), and the thoracic vertebral level representing the third highest
proportion (20%). The prevalence of injuries at various vertebral levels was as follows: 2% at both the thoracic
and lumbar levels, 4% at both the cervical and thoracic levels, 3% at the lumbar and sacral levels, 0.50% at both
the cervical and lumbar levels, and 0.50% at both the cervical and sacral levels. Among the sample of 200 patients,
it was observed that a majority of 116 patients, or 58% of the total, did not exhibit any concurrent injuries. The
prevalent injuries seen in conjunction with the condition were hemoperitoneum (10%), head injury (10%), fracture
of the humerus (8%), and fracture of the clavicle (6%). Among a cohort of 200 patients, it was observed that 52%
of the patients exhibited no signs of neurodeficit, whereas the remaining 48% of patients had neurodeficit
symptoms. During the pre-operative examination, it was seen that 50% of the patients had an ASIA score of E.
Additionally, 12% had an ASIA score of D, while 16% had an ASIA score of C. Furthermore, 8% of the patients
had an ASIA score of B, and 14% had an ASIA score of A.
Conclusion: Patients who had non-operative treatment experienced greater incidence of complications.
Respiratory failure emerged as the primary cause of mortality at the cervical level, whereas secondary problems
arising from persistent bed sores were identified as the primary contributors to mortality at the thoracic and lumbar
vertebral levels