@article{ref1,
title="Spinal injuries in motorcycle crashes: patterns and outcomes",
journal="Journal of trauma",
year="2002",
author="Smith, R. M. and Matthews, S. J. and Barlow, I. and Branfoot, Toby and Giannoudis, Peter V. and Robertson, Andrew",
volume="53",
number="1",
pages="5-8",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of spinal injury and clinical outcomes resulting from motorcycle crashes. METHODS: We analyzed data collected on 1,121 motorcyclists involved in road traffic accidents (from 1993-2000) and identified those who had sustained a spinal injury. RESULTS: Spinal injury occurred in 126 (11.2%) riders (112 male riders [88.9%] and 14 female riders [11.1%]), with a mean age of 30.2 years (range, 16-61 years) and Injury Severity Score of 18.8 (range, 4-66). Isolated injuries to the spine occurred in 30 (23.8%) riders. The thoracic spine was injured in 69 (54.8%), the lumbar spine in 37 (29.4%), and the cervical spine in 34 (27.0%) cases. Multiple vertebral levels were affected in 54 (42.9%). Neurologic injury occurred in 25 riders (19.8%), with complete distal neurologic injury in 14 (4 cervical, 9 thoracic, and 1 lumbar). Eleven (8.7%) patients required spinal surgery. There were 13 (10.3%) deaths. CONCLUSION: The thoracic spine is the most commonly injured spinal region in motorcycle crashes. Multiple level injuries are common. Protocols concentrating on the radiographic clearance of the cervical region may miss a significant number of spinal injuries. Vigilance is required in assessing these patients, who often have multiple injuries.",
language="",
issn="0022-5282",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}