Injury to the spinal cord without radiological abnormality (SCIWORA) in adults.
Injury to the spinal cord without radiological abnormality often occurs in the skeletally immature cervical and thoracic spine. We describe four adult patients with this diagnosis involving the cervical spine with resultant quadriparesis. The relevant literature is reviewed. The implications for initial management of the injury, the role of MRI and the need for a high index of suspicion are highlighted.
Kothari
P
P
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, England, UK.
Freeman
B
B
Grevitt
M
M
Kerslake
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020210:Central Cord Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000293:injuries; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries