Traumatic Spinal Cord Lesion of C-area in Children

Overview

Damage of cervical spine cord in head trauma in children is estimated according our experiences often even until autopsy. Signs of spine cord lesioncan be overlap with neurologic signs of severe head trauma and with signs of hypoxic brain damage. Authors refer in this study about pitfalls inassessment and treatment this injured children. In years 1990 – 1997 302 children with head trauma were admitted, 68 children died (22,5%), totalnumber of children with spinal cord injury was 20 (6,62%), 12 children died and had spinal cord lesion found in autopsy. Eight patients with spinalcord lesion survived in age bracket 2 till 15 years. Examination targeting on cervical spine trauma in time of admition was negative in 7 cases andwas positive later (3rdtill 9thday). Control mechanical ventilation was used in all patients in length of 33 – 822 days. In time of leaving of PICU 6children were by consciousness with different level of motoric alteration. Halo traction was used in 5 patients, collar for fixation in 2 children andsurgical decompression of C spinal cord in one patient.

Key words:
spinal cord lesion in children – head trauma – hypoxic brain damage – treatment