Abstract
Sciwora lesions are common in children but rare in adults. In adults, they are often associated with spondylosis, and minor trauma may result in paralysis of varying degrees.
In our unit we conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients with spinal cord injuries. Only two had Sciwora lesions. One lesion was in the thoracic spine and the other in the lumbar spine. The thoracic lesion led to complete paraplegia, with intrinsic cord damage. It was treated conservatively and the patient did not recover. The lumbar lesion was incomplete, with traumatic disc prolapse that recovered after discectomy.
Management of Sciwora lesions of the thoracic and lumbar spine depends on MRI findings.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
