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Órgano Oficial de difusión científica de la Asociación Mexicana de Cirujanos de Columna A. C.

2025, Number 3

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Cir Columna 2025; 3 (3)

Spinal injuries caused by gunshot wounds. An updated review

Jiménez ÁJM, Jeong SH, Romero GPA, Toscano VJ, Santillán DM

Language: Spanish
References: 21
Page: 197-204
PDF size: 441.82 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: gunshot wounds in the spine have become a public health problem. These lesions cause highly complex inflammatory responses, which affect not only the spine but other organs as well. The treatment of these patients must be multidisciplinary. It is important to take an adequate clinical history including information about the firearm, the amount of bullets, and their location, all of which should be complemented with a complete neurological examination along with the ASIA scale so as to classify them. Objective: review the epidemiologic data regarding spinal injuries caused by gunshot wounds, as well as an update on the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic approaches. Material and methods: a systematic search was conducted in three databases on spinal lesions caused by gunshot wounds. Articles were analyzed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: eight articles were identified, and 13 additional articles extracted from other sources were added, including a total of 21 articles from which a literature review was written. Conclusion: most cases can be managed in a conservative manner, although spinal stability is the fundamental criteria for deciding whether treatment should the patient receive, and the severity of the neurological damage should be considered in order to decide whether the bullet needs to be removed. The use of antibiotics is essential in the treatment, while the use of steroids remains controversial.


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