ATLS 10.7 SPINE & SPINAL CORD TRAUMA
1. Approximately __% of patients with brain injury have an
associated spinal injury, whereas __% of patients with spinal injury
have at least a mild brain injury.:
5%
25%
2. Approximately __% of spinal injuries occur in the cervical region,
__% in the thoracic region, __% at the thoracolumbar junction, and __
% in the lumbosacral area.:
55%
15%
15%
15%
3. Up to ___ of patients with a cervical spine fracture have a second,
noncontiguous
vertebral column fracture.:
10%
4. Complications from spinal cord injuries are typically due to:
Ischemia or progression of spinal cord edema or Excessive movement of the
spine.
5. Describe when spinal long boards should be used and their
complications:
Long backboards should be used only during patient transportation, and
every effort should be made to remove patients from spine boards as quickly
,as possible. Prolonged positioning of patients on a hard backboard and with a
hard cervical collar (c-collar) can also be hazardous. In addition to causing
severe discomfort in conscious patients, serious decubitus ulcers can form,
and respiratory compromise
6. The typical vertebra consists of an anteriorly placed ______, which
forms part of the main weight-bearing column.
The vertebral bodies are separated by ______ that are held together
anteriorly and posteriorly by the ________ , respectively.
Posterolaterally, two ______ form the pillars on which the roof of the
________ rests. The _____, _____, and ____ all contribute to spine
stability.:
Vertebral body
intervertebral disks
anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
pedicles
vertebral canal (i.e., the lamina)
facet joints, interspinous ligaments, and paraspinal muscles
7. The cervical canal is wide from the _______ to the lower part of
____.:
Foramen magnum
C2
8. Approximately ______ of patients with upper cervical spine injuries
(i.e., injury above _____) die at the scene from ______.:
one-third
C3
apnea caused by loss of central innervation of the phrenic nerves.
9. A child's cervical spine is markedly different from that of an
adult's until
approximately __ years of age.
, These differences include:
The differences decline steadily until approximately ___ years, when
the cervical spine is more similar to an adult's.:
- 8 years
- more flexible joint capsules and interspinous ligaments
- flat facet joints
- vertebral bodies wedged anteriorly and tend to slide forward with flexion.
- 12 years
10. Vertebral column injuries in the cervical spine are much more
likely to
cause spinal cord injuries below ____.:
C3
11. When a fracture-dislocation in the thoracic spine does occur, it
almost
always results in a _______ because of the _______:
complete spinal cord injury
relatively narrow thoracic canal.
12. Most thoracic spine fractures are _______ that are not associated
with
spinal cord injury.:
wedge compression fractures
13. The spinal cord originates at the caudal end of the _________, at
the ________ in the skull.
In adults, it usually ends near the ______ as the _______. Below this
level is the _______, which is somewhat _______ resilient to injury.:
medulla oblongata
1. Approximately __% of patients with brain injury have an
associated spinal injury, whereas __% of patients with spinal injury
have at least a mild brain injury.:
5%
25%
2. Approximately __% of spinal injuries occur in the cervical region,
__% in the thoracic region, __% at the thoracolumbar junction, and __
% in the lumbosacral area.:
55%
15%
15%
15%
3. Up to ___ of patients with a cervical spine fracture have a second,
noncontiguous
vertebral column fracture.:
10%
4. Complications from spinal cord injuries are typically due to:
Ischemia or progression of spinal cord edema or Excessive movement of the
spine.
5. Describe when spinal long boards should be used and their
complications:
Long backboards should be used only during patient transportation, and
every effort should be made to remove patients from spine boards as quickly
,as possible. Prolonged positioning of patients on a hard backboard and with a
hard cervical collar (c-collar) can also be hazardous. In addition to causing
severe discomfort in conscious patients, serious decubitus ulcers can form,
and respiratory compromise
6. The typical vertebra consists of an anteriorly placed ______, which
forms part of the main weight-bearing column.
The vertebral bodies are separated by ______ that are held together
anteriorly and posteriorly by the ________ , respectively.
Posterolaterally, two ______ form the pillars on which the roof of the
________ rests. The _____, _____, and ____ all contribute to spine
stability.:
Vertebral body
intervertebral disks
anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments
pedicles
vertebral canal (i.e., the lamina)
facet joints, interspinous ligaments, and paraspinal muscles
7. The cervical canal is wide from the _______ to the lower part of
____.:
Foramen magnum
C2
8. Approximately ______ of patients with upper cervical spine injuries
(i.e., injury above _____) die at the scene from ______.:
one-third
C3
apnea caused by loss of central innervation of the phrenic nerves.
9. A child's cervical spine is markedly different from that of an
adult's until
approximately __ years of age.
, These differences include:
The differences decline steadily until approximately ___ years, when
the cervical spine is more similar to an adult's.:
- 8 years
- more flexible joint capsules and interspinous ligaments
- flat facet joints
- vertebral bodies wedged anteriorly and tend to slide forward with flexion.
- 12 years
10. Vertebral column injuries in the cervical spine are much more
likely to
cause spinal cord injuries below ____.:
C3
11. When a fracture-dislocation in the thoracic spine does occur, it
almost
always results in a _______ because of the _______:
complete spinal cord injury
relatively narrow thoracic canal.
12. Most thoracic spine fractures are _______ that are not associated
with
spinal cord injury.:
wedge compression fractures
13. The spinal cord originates at the caudal end of the _________, at
the ________ in the skull.
In adults, it usually ends near the ______ as the _______. Below this
level is the _______, which is somewhat _______ resilient to injury.:
medulla oblongata
