[MRI in the early stage of spinal cord injury: does it have clinical relevance? An experimental study].
OBJECTIVE
An experimental technique for producing a ventral spinal trauma which imitates a slipped intervertebral disc or a fractured vertebra was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging and histology. The results were evaluated with respect to their clinical importance.


METHODS
A total of 69 Wistar rats were used for this study. An inflatable angioplasty balloon device was placed dorsally or ventrally to the spinal cord in order to produce a spinal trauma. 30 rats were used to compare neurological pathologies between ventral and dorsal trauma. 30 animals underwent graded ventral spinal cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and the results were compared to histology.


RESULTS
Using this technique, the balloon device can be placed ventrally to the spinal cord. The compression time had a direct effect on changes on magnetic resonance images and edema in histology, but a longer compression time did not produce increased bleeding. The T2-weighted MRI scans showed hyperintense changes immediately after spinal compression. Therefore, they are the appropriate way for diagnosing acute spinal injuries. Although the T1-weighted MRI scans did not change after spinal compression, they are important for diagnosing epidural hematomas.


CONCLUSIONS
With this technique common ventral spinal trauma can be readily recreated. Magnetic resonance imaging allows early detection of edematous changes in experimental spinal cord injuries in the rat.
Hannmann
T T
TT
Abteilung für Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg. hannmann@web.de
Freund
M
M
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos