Preoperative radiological assessment of fractures of the thoracolumbar spine causing traumatic paraplegia

As a sequel to preoperative radiological assessment, 32 patients with traumatic paraplegia due to injury at the thoracic or lumbar level were treated by anterolateral decompression. The results were satisfactory in 60% of patients. This paper describes the radiological methods that were employed and specifies the radiological assessment of these fractures. The prognosis in relation to the type of fracture is also considered.