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 Vol. 19 No. 5, May 2008
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AAP Grand Rounds 19:51-52 (2008)
© 2008 American Academy of Pediatrics

CRITICAL CARE

Motorcycle Helmets Do Not Alter Risk of Spinal Fracture, While Reducing Risk of TBI by 50%

Source: Goslar PW, Crawford NR, Petersen SR, et al. Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims. J Trauma. 2008;64:190–196; doi: 10.1097/ta.0b013e3180f62eec[Medline]

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.


PICO

Question: Among motorcycle riders involved in a crash, does wearing a helmet increase the risk of spinal fracture?

Question type: Prevention

Study design: Retrospective review

 

Wearing a helmet reduces the incidence and severity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained by victims of motorcycle crashes. However, the effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic spine fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial.

To determine if helmet use increased the risk of spinal fractures, the authors from Phoenix, Arizona, analyzed the incidence of spinal fractures among patients treated at a single Phoenix level I trauma center after a motorcycle crash. Every motorcycle crash victim evaluated by the trauma service at the center underwent a standardized radiologic survey of his or her cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. All trauma registry data from 2002–2005 were retrospectively reviewed.

TBI was defined as any recorded change in neurologic status with abnormalities demonstrated on cranial computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Spinal fracture was defined as any bony injury to the spinal column detected during hospitalization. Patients were . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Susan Bratton, MD, FAAP
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Primary Children’s Medical Center, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT

 





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