Follow up CT scan on 20 year old male with back pain

Compare and Contrast

Compression Fractures

Treatment of Compression Fractures The majority of mild to moderate compression fractures are treated with immobilization in a brace or corset for a period of six to twelve weeks. The duration of treatment is based on symptoms and x-ray. As pain subsides and x-rays show no change in the position of the spine and healing of the fracture, the brace may be discontinued. Balloon Kyphoplasty is a newer minimally invasive treatment performed to stabilize vertebral compression fractures and reduce pain. Spinal surgery is rarely indicated for patients with compression fracture. Indications would include severe fracture with neurologic injury, severe angulation, failure to heal with initial bracing, increased angulation despite bracing or late increasing neuologic deficit.

Burst Fracture Burst fractures result from high-energy axial loads to the spine Treatment depends on how bad the burst fracture is. Options may include either non-surgical approaches or surgery. If there is pressure on the spinal cord, the nerve roots or both, surgical treatment is usually recommended. The surgeon may perform a spinal fusion to stabilize the spine with grafts and other instrumentation, as well as to take the pressure off the vertebra and nerves. This procedure removes any bone material touching the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Chance Fracture Treatment Most Chance fractures are managed with immobilization Instability is frequently associated with a kyphosis of 20° or more and a kyphosis of 30° or more usually requires internal stabilization Main treatment for unstable fractures is surgical fixation with spinal canal decompression

References http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article924.html Cedars Sanai Health Conditions Website http://csmc.edu/5728.html http://www.learningradiology.com/notes/bonenotes/chancefxpage.htm