, FRACTURES OF THE
CERVICAL, THORACIC,
AND LUMBAR SPINE
ALEXANDER R. VACCARO
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
The Rothman Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York • Basel
TM
Copyright © 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
,ISBN: 0-8247-0713-3
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Headquarters
Marcel Dekker, Inc.
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
tel: 212-696-9000; fax: 212-685-4540
Eastern Hemisphere Distribution
Marcel Dekker AG
Hutgasse 4, Postfach 812, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
tel: 41-61-260-6300; fax: 41-61-260-6333
World Wide Web
http://www.dekker.com
The publisher offers discounts on this book when ordered in bulk quantities. For more infor-
mation, write to Special Sales/Professional Marketing at the headquarters address above.
Copyright 䉷 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by
any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Current printing (last digit):
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, Preface
Spinal trauma is a potentially devastating occurrence associated with significant mor-
bidity and mortality. Fortunately, with improved ‘‘in-field’’ management protocols,
‘‘in-hospital’’ resuscitation measures, and further insight into the pathophysiology of
spinal cord injury, progress is being made toward improving neurological function
and quality of life for this patient population. In order to optimize postinjury inter-
vention efforts by spinal care providers, a thorough understanding of all facets of
spinal injury and spinal cord injury pathomechanics must be attained.
The medical literature is replete with generalized assessment and treatment
guidelines for broad groups of spinal injuries; it lacks, however, a comprehensive
and precise investigation into the particulars of various subgroups of traumatic pa-
thology. Each fracture type has individualized assessment concerns, fracture sub-
classifications, immobilization techniques, nonoperative and operative indications,
operative fixation strategies, and prognostic outlook. It is imperative that such vital
information be included in any volume exploring contemporary spinal injury man-
agement. A comprehensive textbook that allows quick and easy reference to fracture
subtypes, spinal injury management protocols, and aftercare is indispensable to the
spinal care provider regardless of the level of academic training.
In an effort to develop a broad, in-depth but readable text on the comprehensive
management of spinal injury, world-renowned experts were asked to focus on par-
ticular issues of spinal pathophysiology and fracture subtypes rather than on regional
spinal pathology, as is often the case in other contemporary textbooks. This approach
is invaluable when precise and current information is necessary to manage common
and uncommon spinal traumatic pathology.
iii
CERVICAL, THORACIC,
AND LUMBAR SPINE
ALEXANDER R. VACCARO
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
The Rothman Institute
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York • Basel
TM
Copyright © 2002 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
,ISBN: 0-8247-0713-3
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Headquarters
Marcel Dekker, Inc.
270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
tel: 212-696-9000; fax: 212-685-4540
Eastern Hemisphere Distribution
Marcel Dekker AG
Hutgasse 4, Postfach 812, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
tel: 41-61-260-6300; fax: 41-61-260-6333
World Wide Web
http://www.dekker.com
The publisher offers discounts on this book when ordered in bulk quantities. For more infor-
mation, write to Special Sales/Professional Marketing at the headquarters address above.
Copyright 䉷 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by
any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Current printing (last digit):
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, Preface
Spinal trauma is a potentially devastating occurrence associated with significant mor-
bidity and mortality. Fortunately, with improved ‘‘in-field’’ management protocols,
‘‘in-hospital’’ resuscitation measures, and further insight into the pathophysiology of
spinal cord injury, progress is being made toward improving neurological function
and quality of life for this patient population. In order to optimize postinjury inter-
vention efforts by spinal care providers, a thorough understanding of all facets of
spinal injury and spinal cord injury pathomechanics must be attained.
The medical literature is replete with generalized assessment and treatment
guidelines for broad groups of spinal injuries; it lacks, however, a comprehensive
and precise investigation into the particulars of various subgroups of traumatic pa-
thology. Each fracture type has individualized assessment concerns, fracture sub-
classifications, immobilization techniques, nonoperative and operative indications,
operative fixation strategies, and prognostic outlook. It is imperative that such vital
information be included in any volume exploring contemporary spinal injury man-
agement. A comprehensive textbook that allows quick and easy reference to fracture
subtypes, spinal injury management protocols, and aftercare is indispensable to the
spinal care provider regardless of the level of academic training.
In an effort to develop a broad, in-depth but readable text on the comprehensive
management of spinal injury, world-renowned experts were asked to focus on par-
ticular issues of spinal pathophysiology and fracture subtypes rather than on regional
spinal pathology, as is often the case in other contemporary textbooks. This approach
is invaluable when precise and current information is necessary to manage common
and uncommon spinal traumatic pathology.
iii
