Citation

Fischer DK, Simpson RK, Narayan RK, Mattox KL. Neurochirurgia (Stuttg) 1991; 34(1): 37-41.

Affiliation

Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-2008-1052052

PMID

2027428

Abstract

Penetrating trauma to the cervical spine can result in major neurological deficits due to spinal cord damage. Discussed are four civilian cases of dramatic penetrating cervical injuries without spinal cord involvement. These injuries occurred in the anteroposterior direction, and the facial structures and/or vertebral bodies appeared to have provided some protection to the spinal cord. It is proposed that the cervical spinal cord may be less vulnerable to penetrating injuries in the anteroposterior plane due to incrementally collapsible compartments of facial soft tissue and bony sinus structures which can absorb kinetic energy and dissipate momentum.

Language: en