CAN LACERATIONS OF THE THORACOLUMBAR DURA BE PREDICTED ON THE BASIS OF RADIOLOGICAL PATTERNS OF THE SPINAL FRACTURES

Encroachment upon the spinal canal, separation of the pedicles, associ ated fractures of thee laminae are assumed to be related to dural lace rations consequent to burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. Owin g to the possible occurrence of early or delayed complications of meni ngeal discontinuations, the predictive value of these signs has been a nalyzed in a consecutive series of 50 patients, who were submitted to surgery. Dural tears were found to occur at a rate of 60%, without any statistically significant relation with any of the examined signs. Th e results were not consistent with the thesis that lacerations of the dura can be predicted on the basis of radiological signs.