Citation

Papavasiliou A, Stanton J, Sinha P, Forder J, Skyrme A. Eur. J. Emerg. Med. 2007; 14(3): 180-183.

Affiliation

Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic, East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, Eastbourne District General Hospital, Eastbourne, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32801430e2

PMID

17473618

Abstract

We present, along with a literature review, the case report of a 6-year-old boy, involved in a high-speed motor vehicle accident, who sustained a seat belt injury of the lumbar spine. We discuss the clinical presentation of thoracolumbar fractures in children, the sensitivity of clinical examination and radiographic evaluation and the associated abdominal injuries that are commonly present with seat belt spinal injuries. Computerized tomography is limited in the detection of soft tissue spinal fractures because these fractures occur in the plain of the section. Plain lateral x-rays of the lumbar spine and computerized tomographic three-dimensional reconstruction images can be helpful but they cannot evaluate the extent of the soft tissue injury. The magnetic resonance imaging scan is the best diagnostic tool to provide the diagnosis.

Language: en