Epidemiology of motorcycle spinal injuries

Abstract

Background: 1.2 million people die in traffic accidents every year. Motorcycle accidents account for a large proportion of these road accidents. They are responsible for serious and severe trauma. Most of these victims live in developing countries.
Objective: To study the epidemiologic, clinical, therapeutic and progressive characteristics of spinal trauma caused by motorcycle accidents.
Materials and methods: This prospective descriptive study was conducted in the Emergency Department and Neurosurgery Department over a period of 18 months. A pre-designed survey form was completed after the interview and physical examination of the patients. Male and female patients of any age treated for spinal trauma after a motorcycle accident were included. Patients who had undergone diagnostic radiologic imaging and regular follow-up for at least one month. The epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic data were studied.
Results: Spine trauma due to motorcycle accidents accounted for 5.7% of hospital admissions. The male was predominant with a sex ratio of 5.4. The mean age was 27.3 years. The socio-professional strata involved were workers (18.6%), farmers (16.3%) and apprentice motorcycle mechanics. The trauma was caused by a motorcycle skid in 34.9%, followed by a collision between two motorcyclists in 28.7%. Spinal pain was present in all patients, motor deficit in 75.2%, sensory deficit in 60.5%, and sphincter deficit in 48.8%. The thoracolumbar junction was involved in 36.4% of cases, followed by the cervical spine in 30.2% and the lumbar spine in 21.7%. The most common injuries were dislocation fractures (43.4%) and vertebral fractures. In the thoracic, thoracolumbar hinge and lumbar spine, surgery consisted of laminectomy combined with pedicle screw osteosynthesis. At 3-month follow-up, motor deficits persisted in 78.6% and clinical signs improved in 21.4%.
Conclusion: Spinal trauma from a motorcycle accident is a real and evolving scourge. The emphasis must be placed on prevention. This requires rigorous application of the road traffic.