Correlation of MR images of disc injuries with anatomic sections in experimental thoracolumbar spine fractures

This cadaver study evaluated the value of MR images for detection of acute intervertebral disc damage associated with fractures of the thoracolumbar s pine. Damage to the intervertebral disc may be a major contributor to chron ic instability in non-operative treatment or failure of fixation and recurr ence of deformity in posterior fixation methods. MR imaging can help us to understand the injury patterns and their prognostic significance. However, before we can justify the use of MRI in clinical cases, determination of MR I's ability to detect acute injury to the disc is necessary. Ten fresh cada ver specimens were used for this study. After obtaining radiograms and MR i mages, injuries were created with a weight-dropping apparatus using a varie ty of weights and compression angles. Post-injury radiograms and MR images were taken and the specimens were frozen at -20 degrees C, Slides of these specimens obtained with cryosection techniques were compared with MR images for evaluation of the damage to different parts of the discs. A total of 2 0 fractures were observed on cryosections. In 12 of the discs adjacent to f ractured vertebral bodies, macroscopic damage was seen on the sections. The se were all detected on the corresponding MR images. The study showed that MRI is able to detect acute, macroscopic injury to the intervertebral disc. It is therefore justified to use MR for the study of acute disc damage ass ociated with thoracolumbar fractures.