Cervical Spine Trauma: A Retrospective Study of 121 Cases

Introduction: The incidence of cervical spine trauma is continuously increasing. It can lead to dysfunctions in the body and compromise quality of life. The complications arising from such trauma are major causes of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to review the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of cervical spine trauma in our context. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study in the neurosurgery department of the CHU (University Hospital) of Conakry from October 2019 to October 2023, focusing on the medical records of patients hospitalized for cervical spine trauma. Results: A total of 173 cases of spinal trauma were collected, with 121 involving the cervical spine, representing 69.23%. Young adults were the most represented group (mean age = 31.92 years), with a male predominance (sex ratio = 2.45). Traffic accidents (47.10%) were the leading cause of trauma in our series. 92.56% of patients were transferred without medical care, and 81.81% were admitted more than 6 hours after the trauma. According to the ASIA scale, classes A and B represented 52.06% and 34.71%, respectively. The injuries primarily affected the lower cervical spine, with 62.80% involving dislocations. 65 out of 121 patients underwent surgery, including 64 anterior osteosyntheses with bone grafting and one case of occipito-axial fixation with steel wire via a posterior approach. Postoperative outcomes were favorable at 18.46%, stable at 81.53%, and had a mortality rate of 53.06%. Conclusion: Cervical spine trauma is a devastating event often resulting in severe and lasting disabilities. The quality of pre-hospital care and the timing of surgery significantly influence the outcome of the management.