The efficacy of the modified classification system of soft tissue injury in extension injury of the lower cervical spine.
METHODS
To classify comprehensively the severity of soft tissue injury for extension injuries of the lower cervical spine by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate severity of extension injuries using a modified classification system for soft tissue injury by MRI, and to determine the possibility of predicting cord injury by determining the severity of soft tissue injury.


BACKGROUND
It is difficult to diagnose extension injuries by plain radiography and computed tomography. MRI is considered to be the best method of diagnosing soft tissue injuries. The authors examined whether an MRI based diagnostic standard could be devised for extension injuries of the cervical spine.


METHODS
MRI was performed before surgery in 81 patients that had experienced a distractive-extension injury during the past 5 years. Severities of soft tissue injury were subdivided into 5 stages. The retropharyngeal space and the retrotracheal space were measured, and their correlations with the severity of soft tissue injury were examined, as was the relation between canal stenosis and cord injury.


RESULTS
Cord injury developed in injuries greater than Grade III (according to our devised system) accompanied by posterior longitudinal ligament rupture (P < 0.01). As the severity of soft tissue injury increased, the cord signal change increased (P < 0.01), the retropharyngeal space and the retrotracheal space increased, and swelling severity in each stage were statistically significant (P < 0.01). In canal stenosis patients, soft tissue damage and cord injury were not found to be associated (P = 0.45).


CONCLUSIONS
In cases of distractive-extension injury, levels of soft tissue injury were determined accurately by MRI. Moreover, the severity of soft tissue injury was found to be closely associated with the development of cord injury.
Song
Kyung-Jin
KJ
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University School of Medicine, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
Kim
Gyu-Hyung
GH
Lee
Kwang-Bok
KB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*