Spinal canal narrowing during simulated frontal impact

Eur Spine J. 2006 Jun;15(6):891-901. doi: 10.1007/s00586-005-0985-4. Epub 2005 Oct 12.

Abstract

Between 23 and 70% of occupants involved in frontal impacts sustain cervical spine injuries, many with neurological involvement. It has been hypothesized that cervical spinal cord compression and injury may explain the variable neurological profile described by frontal impact victims. The goals of the present study, using a biofidelic whole cervical spine model with muscle force replication, were to quantify canal pinch diameter (CPD) narrowing during frontal impact and to evaluate the potential for cord compression. The biofidelic model and a sled apparatus were used to simulate frontal impacts at 4, 6, 8, and 10 g horizontal accelerations of the T1 vertebra. The CPD was measured in the intact specimen in the neutral posture (neutral posture CPD), under static sagittal pure moments of 1.5 Nm (pre-impact CPD), during dynamic frontal impact (dynamic impact CPD), and again under static pure moments following each impact (post-impact CPD). Frontal impact caused significant (P<0.05) dynamic CPD narrowing at C0-dens, C2-C3, and C6-C7. The narrowest dynamic CPD was observed at C0-dens during the 10 g impact and was 25.9% narrower than the corresponding neutral posture CPD. Interpretation of the present results indicate that the neurological symptomatology reported by frontal impact victims is most likely not due to cervical spinal cord compression. Cord compression due to residual spinal instability is also not likely.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acceleration / adverse effects
  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Cadaver
  • Cervical Vertebrae / injuries
  • Cervical Vertebrae / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Biological
  • Spinal Canal / injuries*
  • Spinal Canal / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / physiopathology
  • Whiplash Injuries / etiology
  • Whiplash Injuries / pathology*
  • Whiplash Injuries / physiopathology