The effect of trauma mechanism on the frequency of accompanying vertebral fracture in cases with thoracic trauma

Abstract

Introduction: Thoracic traumas are the third most common trauma among all trauma cases after head-neck and extremity traumas. The most common causes are motor vehicle accidents, falls from height, gunshot wounds, and stab wounds. In our study, it was aimed to investigate the mechanism of trauma and its effect on the frequency of accompanying vertebral fracture in patients who applied to the emergency department of a university hospital due to thoracic trauma. Material – Method: Our study was planned retrospectively. The information of the patients who applied to the emergency department of our hospital between 01.01.2017 and 01.01.2021 due to thoracic trauma was examined. Demographic characteristics of the patients, mechanism of trauma, trauma-related thoracic injuries and accompanying vertebral fractures were evaluated. Results: The data of 515 patients exposed to thoracic trauma were analyzed. The median age of the patients included in the study was 52 and 72.4% (n: 373) were male. 96.3% (n: 496) of the patients presented because of blunt trauma. The most common trauma mechanisms were in-vehicle traffic accident (46.6% n:240) and falling from height (30.9% n:159). Pneumothorax was found in 34.7% (n: 179) of the patients, hemothorax in 40.2% (n: 207), and costal fracture in 81.9% (n: 422). The frequency of concomitant vertebral fracture was 33.98% (n: 175). Vertebral fractures were most commonly detected in the lumbar region (53.1%) and were most common in patients admitted after a non-vehicle traffic accident. A significant difference was found between the mechanism of trauma and accompanying vertebral fracture; vertebral fracture was seen in 53.8% (n:28) of the patients who applied after a non-vehicle traffic accident. (p=0.004) Conclusion: It should be kept in mind that the trauma mechanism may increase the frequency of accompanying vertebral fracture in patients admitted to the emergency department after blunt trauma and evaluated for thoracic trauma.