Douglas L. Brockmeyer, MD, Editor

Andrew T. Dailey, MD, Editor

To accomplish that goal, this issue of Neurosurgery Clinics of North America is organized in a stepwise approach to provide maximum learning benefit. It begins with an overview of the latest advances in the imaging of spine trauma, followed by a review of thoracolumbar injury classification schemes. The next four articles discuss spinal cord injury, covering the timing of treatment, pharmacologic aspects, central cord syndrome, and restorative treatment strategies. A comprehensive review of pediatric spinal injury follows, organized into craniocervical, subaxial, and thoroacolumbar sections. After that, specific treatment scenarios in adult spine trauma are addressed, including odontoid fractures, facet fractures, and minimally invasive surgery. Finally, the important topics of return to play after spinal injury and complication avoidance in spinal surgery are covered.

The editors and authors hope this issue will prove useful for every neurosurgeon. Each article has been carefully chosen to address important areas in adult and pediatric spinal trauma. We also hope that the patients we serve will benefit from the ideas and information included here.