Relevance of magnetic resonance imaging in traumatic discoligamentous instabilities of the lower cervical spine

The diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for traumatic d iscoligamentous instabilities of the lower cervical spine was evaluated. MR I findings were correlated with the intraoperative findings. Fifteen patien ts were included in the study (11 males, 4 females, 33 years old on average ). Indication for surgery was established with dynamic a. p. instability un der fluoroscopy. In the operation, all patients showed complete traumatic r upture of the intervertebral disc. In contrast, MRI sequences revealed only eight mild and four severe disc lesions. Intraoperatively ruptures of the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments were verified in 7 patients e ach. MRI studies depicted only five ruptures of the anterior and three rupt ures of the posterior longitudinal ligaments. In three cases MRI demonstrat ed no pathological findings (3 of 15 false-negative results). MRI and intra operative findings showed no statistical correlation. MRI is of only limite d value in diagnosing traumatic discoligamentous instabilities of the lower cervical spine.