DIVING INJURIES OF THE CERVICAL SPINE IN AMATEUR DIVERS

Abstract

Diving injuries are the cause of devastating trauma, primarily affecting the cervical spine. The younger male population is more often involved in such injuries. This study describes our experience on diving injuries treatment and offers a long follow-up.

During a 31-year period (1970–2001) 20 patients, 19 male and one female have been admitted with cervical spine trauma following a diving injury. All admissions have been made between May and September. One patient was lost to follow-up. The mean age of the patients was 23 years (16–47). The lower cervical spine was involved in 13 patients; four patients had lesions in the middle and upper cervical spine, while one patient had combined lesions. The most commonly fractured vertebrae were C5 and C6. Fracture-dislocation was evident in 10 patients, while a teardrop fracture was diagnosed in six patients. Six patients were classified, as ASIA A upon admission and bladder control was absent in 12. Only four patients were treated surgically, two with iliac bone grafting alone, one with posterior plating and one with an anterior plate plus graft. The other patients with initial neurological deficit were treated conservatively, because of their rapid neurological improvement, their lesion being regarded as stable. Fourteen patients were treated conservatively with steroids and Crutchfield skull traction or halo vest, followed by the application of a Minerva or Philadelphia orthosis.

The mean follow-up was 11 years (6 mo to 23.8 years). Four patients in the ASIA A category died in the first month of their hospitalization (two of cardiac arrest, one from pulmonary embolism and one from respiratory infection) and two remained unchanged. Six patients with ASIA B and C improved neurologically and one remained unchanged. Nine patients had developed urinary tract infection and two had respiratory infections. Two out of the four operated on developed superficial trauma infection.

In conclusion, diving injuries of the cervical spine demonstrate a high mortality and morbidity rate. The initial neurological deficit may improve with appropriate conservative treatment. The indications for surgical management are post-traumatic instability and persistent or deteriorating neurologic deficit.