THE NEUROLOGIC SEQUELAE OF CERVICAL-SPINE FACET INJURIES - THE ROLE OF CANAL DIAMETER

Neurologic outcomes were correlated with the cervical canal diameter f or 33 patients who sustained unilateral or bilateral facet fractures, dislocations, subluxations, or perch injuries during a 9-year period. Lateral roentgenograms (target distance, 72 in.) were used to measure the canal and calculate the canal-body ratio (Torg's ratio) at the lev el of the vertebral injury. Frankel's classification system was employ ed to compare initial and final neurologic function. The most importan t factors that determined the long-term functional results after unila teral or bilateral injuries in the cervical spine were the degree of v ertebral trauma and the severity of the initial neurologic deficit. Th ere was no correlation between the preinjury canal diameter or ratio a nd the severity of neurologic injury or the prognosis. Also, neurologi c injuries were more common and more severe in patients with bilateral facet injuries. No patients with complete injuries had an improvement in their Frankel grade.