ABSTRACT

Pediatric spinal trauma is unique. Moreover, the trauma patterns differ in each age group. Craniocervical spine injuries seen in before the age of 8, however, thoracolumbar fractures seen in the adolescence period. Most common injury pattern is sport related injuries and traffic accidents. Initial evaluation should include Advanced Trauma Life Support protocols. Plain radiography and computer tomography is the first line of imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging is sensitive for disco-ligamentous and spinal cord injuries. The treatment depends on the fracture pattern and neurologic problems. Overall, most pediatric injuries of thoracolumbar spine have good to excellent long-term outcomes. In this review, a summary of pediatric thoracolumbar spine fractures is discussed.