Diagnostic and prognostic role of magnetic resonance imaging in spinal trauma, and correlation with clinical profile

Authors

  • Sangeeta Saxena Department of Radio-diagnosis, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India
  • Dharmraj Meena Department of Radio-diagnosis, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India
  • Harsh Khokar Department of Radio-diagnosis, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India
  • Aditya Ganeriwala Department of Radio-diagnosis, Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20182444

Keywords:

American spinal injury association scale, Magnetic resonance imaging, Spinal trauma

Abstract

Background: Trauma is a common and devastating insult to the spine and spinal cord with important long-term sequelae for the individual. Diagnostic imaging, particularly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), plays a crucial role in evaluating and detecting spinal trauma. MRI is not only a diagnostic tool in spinal trauma but also a prognostic predictor. It is possible to predict the neurological outcome of the patients with different cord abnormalities. The objective of this study is to enumerate the cord findings in MRI in patients with spinal trauma and to correlate the findings with clinical profile and neurological outcome of the patients.

Methods: A total of 50 cases of spinal trauma over a period of 1 year were included in the study. MRI of spine performed in patients with spinal trauma to see the cord findings. Detailed motor and sensory examination of the patient on admission and discharge was done and graded according to American Spinal Injury Association Scale (ASIA). Chi square test of significance (p<0.005) was used to assess the association between MR findings and clinical outcome.

Results: In the study we observed that patients with cord haemorrhage and large cord oedema had initial high grade AIS and less chance of recovery with vice versa. Patients with presence of focus of haemorrhage had more severe grade of initial ASIA than those without haemorrhage with significantly more chances of retaining complete injury at follow up. Patients with edema less than 3cm improved on follow up examination.

Conclusions: MRI is an excellent modality of imaging in the diagnosis of cord abnormalities in spinal trauma. The cord findings correlate with the neurological deficit of the patient on admission and discharge.

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Published

2018-06-25

How to Cite

Saxena, S., Meena, D., Khokar, H., & Ganeriwala, A. (2018). Diagnostic and prognostic role of magnetic resonance imaging in spinal trauma, and correlation with clinical profile. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 6(7), 2275–2280. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20182444

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Original Research Articles