Asian Spine J.  2015 Oct;9(5):748-756. 10.4184/asj.2015.9.5.748.

Evaluation of Traumatic Spine by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Correlation with Neurological Recovery

• Magu S
• Singh D
• Yadav RK
• Bala M

• KMID: 2148370
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2015.9.5.748

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. PURPOSE: To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with clinical profile and neurological status of the patient and to correlate the MRI findings with neurological recovery of the patients and predict the outcome. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Previous studies have reported poor neurological recovery in patients with cord hemorrhage, as compared to cord edema in spine injury patients. High canal compromise, cord compression along with higher extent of cord injury also carries poor prognostic value.
METHODS
Neurological status of patients was assessed at the time of admission and discharge in as accordance with the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale. Mean stay in hospital was 14.11+/-5.74 days. Neurological status at admission and neurological recovery at discharge was compared with various qualitative cord findings and quantitative parameters on MRI. In 27 patients, long-term follow-up was done at mean time of 285.9+/-43.94 days comparing same parameters.
RESULTS
Cord edema and normal cord was associated with favorable neurological outcome. Cord contusion showed lesser neurological recovery, as compared to cord edema. Cord hemorrhage was associated with worst neurological status at admission and poor neurological recovery. Mean canal compromise (MCC), mean spinal cord compression (MSCC) and lesion length values were higher in patients presenting with ASIA A impairment scale injury and showed decreasing trends towards ASIA E impairment scale injury. Patients showing neurological recovery had lower mean MCC, MSCC, and lesion length, as compared to patients showing no neurological recovery (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Cord hemorrhage, higher MCC, MSCC, and lesion length values have poor prognostic value in spine injury patients.

Keyword

Spine injuries; Cord hemorrhage; Cord contusion; Mean canal compromise; Mean spinal cord compression

MeSH Terms

Asia
Contusions
Edema
Follow-Up Studies
Hemorrhage
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Prospective Studies
Spinal Cord Compression
Spine*