MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF ACUTE TRAUMA OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE - SPECTRUM OF FINDINGS

This pictorial essay illustrates the magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) spectrum of acute injury to the cervical spine. The authors discuss th e appearance of the traumatized cord, including intramedullary hemorrh age, and the causes of spinal cord compression, such as disk herniatio n, epidural hematoma, fracture, dislocation and underlying spinal sten osis. The ability of MRI to directly reveal the severity of cord injur y and, at the same time, to indicate the cause of cord compression is particularly useful in the management of incomplete injury, for which surgical intervention may prevent further deterioration.