[The value of dynamic cervical MRI in management of selected patients presenting traumatic cervical cord injury].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this report is to describe our experience with dynamic cervical MRI for detection of cervical spinal cord instability in patients presenting spinal cord trauma without fracture or dislocation of the spinal column.


METHODS
Since January 2000 a total of 95 patients presenting spinal cord trauma have been treated in our department. All patients underwent MRI for diagnostic work-up. Dynamic MRI was performed if spinal cord instability was suspected. Whenever possible, high-quality plain radiography dynamic views were obtained (coma, severe deficit, study of the cervicothoracic junction).


RESULTS
Dynamic MRI allowed diagnosis of spinal cord instability in 6 patients with a mean age of 65 years (range, 45 to 75). Instability occurred during extension in 4 patients and during flexion and extension in one case. In the remaining case instability was associated with herniation of a cervical disc due to a severe cervical sprain. All 6 patients underwent early surgical stabilization that allowed improvement in-hospital patient care and quick transfer to rehabilitation centers.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic MRI can be a useful tool to detect unstable spinal cord instability in some patients presenting noncompressive spinal cord injuries.
Fuentes
S
S
Service de Neurochirurgie, CHRU de La Timone, rue Saint-Pierre, 13005 Marseille. sfuentes@ap-hm.fr
Metellus
Ph
P
Adetchessi
T
T
Dufour
H
H
Grisoli
F
F
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery