Trueba DC, Alcázar DD, Villazón JM

Language: Spanish
References: 15
Page: 221-224
PDF size: 38.28 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Objective. To correlate the cervical degree of whiplash injury according to the clinical classification of the Quebec task force, with the changes observed in the alignment of the cervical lordosis in the lateral X-rays. Methods. Our study is retrospective and cross-sectional, realized all patients, taken care in the service of urgencies of the Hospital, between January of 2004 to December of 2004 with the diagnose of whiplash secondary to automobile collision. They were included (n = 254) patients, older than 14 years, injury smaller to 3 days of evolution, and with clinical and radiological file. Those with fracture or associate dislocations were excluded and secondary injury to traumatism or falls. All the injuries were classified according to the clinical criteria to the Quebec task force; and the alterations in the lateral X-ray projection according to the criteria of Tamaka. The two variables were correlated using the test of Chi square , with a value of 0.05 probability. Results. According to the degree 109 patients (43%) with whiplash degree I, 125 patients (49%) with whiplash degree II, and 20 patients (8%) with whiplash degree III; and with respect to the changes in the cervical lordosis appeared, 130 (51%) with lordosis, 106 (41%) with straight of the cervical lordosis and 18 (8%) with khyposis. Both variables were correlated obtaining the following results: whiplash degree I: 53 with lordosis, 46 straight, and 10 with kyphosis; whiplash degree II: 68 with lordosis, 50 with straight and 7 with kyphosis; and whiplash degree III: 9 with lordosis, 10 with straight, and 1 with kyphosis. Conclusions. According to the results, we reached the conclusion that the lateral X-ray is not a trustworthy indicator for the diagnose or whiplash injury, and that it does not exist correlation with the classification proposed by the Quebec task force, considered at the moment a “gold standard, for the accomplishment of the diagnose in this type of injuries.

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