Diagnosis: Cervical cord contusion & burst fracture C7
MR may be used in spinal trauma patients for assessing the extent of cord injury. Findings in the setting of acute spinal trauma include intramedullary hemorrhage and cord edema. Three quarters of patients with cord edema in one series retained useful motor function post injury. Edema spanning a cord segment longer than 1 vertebral body has been associated with a worse outcome. The chronic consequences of spinal trauma such as atrophy and syrinx formation may also be evaluated. This patient experienced persistent weakness of his finger extensors and flexors and complete paraplegia of the lower extremities with a sensory level at T1. Related Cases Davis PC, Reisner A, Hudgins PA, et al. Spinal injuries in children: role of MR. AJNR, May-Jun 1993; 14(3):p607-17.
Schaefer DM, Flanders A, Northrup BE, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of acute cervical spine trauma. Correlation with severity of neurologic injury. Spine, Oct 1989; 14(10):p1090-5.
