CT Scans Are Best for Diagnosing Thoracolumbar Fractures

But plain films may still be a good starting place.

Unlike for cervical spine injury, there are no decision tools to predict thoracolumbar spine fractures or guide imaging decisions. Some diagnostic pathways, such as from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma, recommend screening for thoracolumbar fractures using computed tomography (CT), while others recommend starting the evaluation with radiographs.

Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic accuracy of history, physical exam findings, and imaging tests for thoracolumbar fracture. They identified 48 studies, which were predominantly retrospective and of variable quality. The analysis included 211,463 patients. The meta-analysis found isolated historical and physical exam features were i…

Reviewing Author

Lauren M. Westafer, DO, MPH, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Emergency Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAcademy for Academic Women in Emergency Medicine (Social Media Chair)

Lauren M. Westafer, DO, MPH, MS

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsAnnals of Emergency Medicine

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAcademy for Academic Women in Emergency Medicine (Social Media Chair)

CT Scans Are Best for Diagnosing Thoracolumbar Fractures

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Reviewing Author