J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1997 Feb;32(1):40-45.

Significance of MRI Cord Signal Patterns in Acute Spinal Trauma

• Kim YT
• Lee CS
• Cho YS
• Cho SJ
• Choi CG

Abstract

In the diagnosis of acute spinal trauma, meticulous physical examination and history taking is the most important tool and auxilliary support support can be given by plain X-ray, CT or myelography, etc. But these cannot show the state of cord injury directly. On the contrary, MRI shows the cord directly as well as the soft and bony tissues. We analysed retrospectively 39 patients who suffered from acute spinal trauma at the level of cervical and thoracic spine and had their spine MRI taken. We verified the meaningful correlation between the signal change in the spinal cord on MRI and the degree of neurologic deficit and prognosis, using Frankel classification and trauma motor index at the time of admission and the final follow-up.

Keyword

Acute spinal trauma; MRI; Cord signal

MeSH Terms

Classification
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Myelography
Neurologic Manifestations
Physical Examination
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord
Spine