Isolated transverse process fractures: spine service management not needed.

With the advent of holo-body computed tomography scanning of trauma patients, the radiologic diagnosis of transverse process fractures (TPF) has increased. The significance of this fracture has not been elucidated. Spine service (neurosurgical or orthopedic) consultation is frequently requested for patients with these fractures, stressing constraints on these practices. We hypothesize that isolated transverse process fractures (iTPF) are structurally and neurologically stable injuries, which do not require spine service intervention.