Valuation of lumbar vertebra fractures with thoracolumbar injury classification and severity score

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether there was a correlation between Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity (TLICS) score and surgical outcome of lumbar fractures. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 30 patients with traumatic lumbar fracture who were treated surgically in the neurosurgery department of a tertiary care center between April 2004 and July 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and radiological data were assessed in conjunction with therapeutic outcomes. Results: The average age of 30 patients (3 females, 10%; 27 males, 90%) was 36.4±10.2 (range, 20 to 57) years. The most common levels of fracture were L1 (n=12, 40%), L2 (n=7, 23.3%) and L4 (n=5, 16.7%). Local kyphosis angle, wedging angle, compression ratio, lumbar lordosis angle and sagittal indices changed significantly after the surgical intervention (p<0.001). American Spinal Injury Association scores displayed significant improvement after surgery (p=0.014). Conclusion: Results of the current study demonstrate that TLICS score seems to reflect the outcome of patients treated surgically for lumbar fracture.