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Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 1997;26(1): 82-86. |
| Neurological Changes after Closed Reduction of Cervical Spine Injury Using Skull Traction. |
| Soo Bin Im, Won Han Shin, Bum Tae Kim, Soon Kwan Choi, Bark Jang Byun |
| Department of Neurosurgery Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. |
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| ABSTRACT |
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Aretrospective study of 45 patients with cervical spine injury who underwent skull traction was conducted to evaluate the neurological changes after closed reduction.
Motor function during the traction improved in 5 (11.1%), no change in 37(82.2%), and aggravated in 3(6.7%) of the patients. Three patients who deteriorated neurologically during the traction were found to have locked facets and herniated disc materials demonstrated by MR imaging study.
Authors believe that MRI should be carried out as soon as possible in patients with cervical spine injury, even before traction is attempted, and any neurological changes should be checked and evaluated carefully during the traction. And if there is a herniated discs compressing the spinal cord at the injured level, anterior discectomy with interbody fusion is recommended before closed or open reduction. |
| Key Words:
Cervical spine injury; Skull traction; Neurological deterioration; Herniated disc; MRI; Anterior discectomy |
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