Thoracic spine fractures

Abstract

Thoracic spine fractures have unique characteristics, and should be managed with specific criteria that are different from those used for thoracolumbar injuries. Fracture-dislocation injuries require high-energy injury, and should always be suspected in polytrauma patients with rib cage, sternum, cardiac, or pulmonary injuries. Although treatment is individualized, multisegmental posterior fixation sometimes combined with anterior decompression, is most commonly used. The authors review the current literature on this topic, and present their opinion on the management of such injuries.