Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims

Pamela W. Goslar; Neil R. Crawford; Scott R. Petersen; Jeffrey Wilson; Timothy Harrington

doi:10.1097/TA.0b013e3180f62eec

Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims

Pamela W. Goslar, Neil R. Crawford, Scott R. Petersen, Jeffrey Wilson, Timothy Harrington

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of these fractures in helmeted and nonhelmeted crash victims at a single Level I trauma hospital with a well-defined system for evaluating spinal fractures. RESULTS: Of 422 motorcycle crash victims treated during 3 years, 190 had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 75 sustained some form of spinal fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the statistical analysis, there was no relationship between helmet use and cervical or thoracic fractures, after controlling for speed of crash. The protective effect of helmet use in TBI was verified. These findings re-emphasize the need for a well-defined radiologic protocol for spinal injury at centers that evaluate crash victims.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	190-196
Number of pages	7
Journal	Journal of Trauma - Injury, Infection and Critical Care
Volume	64
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0b013e3180f62eec
State	Published - Jan 2008

Keywords

Helmets
Motorcycle
Spine fractures
Statistics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Surgery
Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine

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10.1097/TA.0b013e3180f62eec

Cite this

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title = "Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: The effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of these fractures in helmeted and nonhelmeted crash victims at a single Level I trauma hospital with a well-defined system for evaluating spinal fractures. RESULTS: Of 422 motorcycle crash victims treated during 3 years, 190 had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 75 sustained some form of spinal fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the statistical analysis, there was no relationship between helmet use and cervical or thoracic fractures, after controlling for speed of crash. The protective effect of helmet use in TBI was verified. These findings re-emphasize the need for a well-defined radiologic protocol for spinal injury at centers that evaluate crash victims.",

keywords = "Helmets, Motorcycle, Spine fractures, Statistics",

author = "Goslar, {Pamela W.} and Crawford, {Neil R.} and Petersen, {Scott R.} and Jeffrey Wilson and Timothy Harrington",

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doi = "10.1097/TA.0b013e3180f62eec",

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T1 - Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims

AU - Goslar, Pamela W.

AU - Crawford, Neil R.

AU - Petersen, Scott R.

AU - Wilson, Jeffrey

AU - Harrington, Timothy

PY - 2008/1

Y1 - 2008/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: The effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of these fractures in helmeted and nonhelmeted crash victims at a single Level I trauma hospital with a well-defined system for evaluating spinal fractures. RESULTS: Of 422 motorcycle crash victims treated during 3 years, 190 had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 75 sustained some form of spinal fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the statistical analysis, there was no relationship between helmet use and cervical or thoracic fractures, after controlling for speed of crash. The protective effect of helmet use in TBI was verified. These findings re-emphasize the need for a well-defined radiologic protocol for spinal injury at centers that evaluate crash victims.

AB - BACKGROUND: The effect of helmet use on the incidence of cervical and thoracic fractures sustained in motorcycle crashes remains controversial. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the incidence of these fractures in helmeted and nonhelmeted crash victims at a single Level I trauma hospital with a well-defined system for evaluating spinal fractures. RESULTS: Of 422 motorcycle crash victims treated during 3 years, 190 had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and 75 sustained some form of spinal fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the statistical analysis, there was no relationship between helmet use and cervical or thoracic fractures, after controlling for speed of crash. The protective effect of helmet use in TBI was verified. These findings re-emphasize the need for a well-defined radiologic protocol for spinal injury at centers that evaluate crash victims.

KW - Helmets

KW - Motorcycle

KW - Spine fractures

KW - Statistics

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Helmet use and associated spinal fractures in motorcycle crash victims

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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