ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN SPINAL INJURIES AND IT'S NEUROLOGICAL STATUS

Vinita Malhotra; Chandan Kumar; Nachiketa Mangaraj; Rajlaxmi Yadav; Ravindranath Pandey; Ajeet Kumar Pandey

Volume : VIII, Issue : I, January - 2019

ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN SPINAL INJURIES AND IT'S NEUROLOGICAL STATUS

Vinita Malhotra, Chandan Kumar, Nachiketa Mangaraj, Rajlaxmi Yadav, Ravindranath Pandey, Ajeet Kumar Pandey

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION: MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique which plays a crucial role in evaluating spinal trauma. soft tissue, ligaments and spinal cord abnormalities, which may not be apparent on other imaging modalities, can be readily detected on MRI. I t can differentiate between haemorrhagic and non haemorrhage spinal cord injuries for the prognostic significance as the presence of haemorrhage significantly worsen the final clinical outcome. AIMS: MRI is a non-invasive diagnostic tool in patients with spinal trauma and correlates with clinical profile according to ASIA impairment scale. MRI sequences provide us with useful information. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients alleged for spinal trauma underwent clinical and neurological examination. MRI was performed on 1.5 tesla scanner following close reduction of spinal injury and fixation with external spinal stabilization devices. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Presence of long length of intra-axial hematoma and cord edema are associated with poor neurological outcome. We demonstrated that the presence of a more substantial cord compression, length of lesion and intramedullary hemorrhage are associated with a poor prognosis for neurological recovery. T2 FSE sagittal images are the best images for the evaluation of spinal trauma. For evaluation of cord hemorrhage best images are gradient recalled echo (GRE).