Authors: Philippe Demaerel
Publish Date: 2006/03/21
Volume: 48, Issue: 4, Pages: 223-232
Abstract
Assessing a patient with clinical signs of acute spinal cord trauma is an emergency A radiological workup is crucial in determining management and magnetic resonance imaging MRI is the modality of choice It should therefore be performed immediately preferably within 3 hours even when plain radiography does not show an abnormality By choosing an appropriate imaging protocol it is possible to assess the spinal cord joints muscles ligaments and bone marrow of the spine Moreover early MRI findings assist in determining functional prognosis A major limitation to early MRI is that the examination is usually restricted to stable trauma patients because of the difficulties in monitoring ventilated patients during scanning However when an anaesthesiologist with experience in MRI and MRcompatible monitoring equipment is available even these patients can be safely examined MRI is also indicated for the evaluation of patients with late complications and sequelae following spinal cord trauma since many of these chronic lesions are potentially treatable
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