PEDIATRIC THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINE INJURIES

Pediatric spinal traumas, which constitute 1-10% of all spinal traumas, are pretty rare but can lead to serious consequences because they affect the developing spine and are quite unique traumas when many different reasons are taken into consideration, such as spinal biomechanical characteristics of the pediatric population or different injury mechanisms that vary according to age groups. The degree of pediatric spinal injuries, which can cause significant mortality and morbidity, is determined by other anatomical structures of the pediatric period and characteristics such as the biomechanics of the spine. The pediatric spine, consisting of a cartilage structure and relatively loose ligaments in the first years of life, is more mobile and more deformable than adults. Paraspinal muscles, which develop with advancing age and physical activities, also contribute to the dynamic stability of the spine. Some characteristics of the pediatric population, such as the larger head-to-body ratio in the first years of life, shallow occipital condyles, horizontal placement of facet joints, small uncinate processes, immature uncovertebral joints, increased elasticity of posterior joint capsules, and increased transverse (flexion/ extension) and rotational mobility of the cervical spine, are among the main reasons why the cranio-cervical junction and upper cervical region are more prone to injury in the pediatric period. While ver-tebral fractures are less common in children than adults, dislocations, ligamentous damage, epiphyseal separations, and lesions of ossification centers are more common.