title: MRI in chronic spinal cord trauma.
abstract: Eighty-seven patients aged 16-68 years have been examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following spinal injury. The MRI findings have been correlated with length of history between trauma and investigation, extent of residual function and site of injury. They include changes at the site of injury consistent with myelomalacia in 37%, a syrinx in 40%, persistent cord compression in 32% and atrophy in 18%. An extensive syrinx can develop within 2 months of injury and it is nearly twice as common in patients with complete paralysis as in those whose paralysis was incomplete. It is suggested that investigation and management of spinal trauma should include early and repeated MRI examinations to detect sequelae at an early stage.
authors.affiliation: MRI Unit, Queen Square Imaging Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Curati
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kingsley
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: I F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Moseley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D013997:Time Factors