MULTIPLE NONCONTIGUOUS INJURIES OF THE SPINE

Forty-seven patients with multiple non-contiguous injuries of the spin e were reviewed retrospectively giving an incidence of 5.4 per cent of 875 spinal injuries. Thirty-three were men and 14 women with an age r ange of between 16 and 78 years. Twenty-three were treated operatively . The multiple non-contiguous injuries had a more complicated mechanis m of injury and tended to be more severe injuries than single-level in juries as they were combined move frequently with injuries of other pa rts of the body. Being aware of this combination of injuries leads to an earlier diagnosis. Operative reconstruction is recommended. Copyrig ht (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.