Multiple Adjacent Isolated Thoracic Spinous Process Fractures in High-Energy Trauma

TL;DR

Rare thoracic spine fractures from high-energy trauma require careful evaluation and conservative treatment can lead to good outcomes.

Contribution

Highlights the rarity and management approach for multiple adjacent thoracic spinous process fractures in trauma patients.

Findings

Multiple adjacent thoracic spinous process fractures are rare in high-energy trauma.

CT scans are most effective for detecting these fractures.

Conservative management with bracing yields excellent functional results.

Abstract

Isolated thoracic spinous process fractures involving multiple adjacent vertebral segments are a rare occurrence in the setting of high-energy trauma. These findings should prompt further investigation to exclude other concomitant osseous or ligamentous injuries. Evaluation by computed tomography is often most useful to detect these fractures. Proper treatment of extensive multilevel injury is poorly defined in the literature. In our experience, conservative management consisting of initial bracing with graduated lifting restrictions has produced excellent functional results.

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