EMERGENCY MRI OF THE SPINE AND SPINAL-COR D

Out of 137 cases concerning the spine and spine cord, the authors demo nstrate that MRI is nowadays fully integrated in urgency investigation s. In all cord compression suspiscions and in spine trauma investigati ons, it's place is found. Coil and software improvements allow to put CT and MR scanning delays on a line. This study underlines the necessi ty of being equiped with non magnetic life support systems allowing ma nagement of very fragile patients. In traumas, MR provides the lesion' s authentification, it's type, it's unique localisation or not, and th erefore an early functionnel prognosis. The discovery of spine cord in volving lesions in neoplasic conditions allows to follow a therapeutic strateging for maintaining the motor fonction. In the end, the author s discuss about practical utility of MR in scuba-diving decompression accidents. No lesion of the spine cord has been demonstrated in 25 pat ients, probably because of technical insufficiency.