Radiology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     


This Article
Right arrow Abstract Freely available
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Katzberg, R. W.
Right arrow Articles by Chong, B. W.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Katzberg, R. W.
Right arrow Articles by Chong, B. W.
(Radiology. 1999;213:203-212.)
© RSNA, 1999


Emergency Radiology

Acute Cervical Spine Injuries: Prospective MR Imaging Assessment at a Level 1 Trauma Center1

Richard W. Katzberg, MD, Philip F. Benedetti, MD 2, Christiana M. Drake, PhD, Marija Ivanovic, PhD, Richard A. Levine, PhD, Carol S. Beatty, MD, William R. Nemzek, MD, Russell A. McFall, MD, Francesca K. Ontell, MD, Dorene M. Bishop, BS, Virginia C. Poirier, MD 3 and Brian W. Chong, MD 4

1 From the Department of Radiology, University of California-Davis Medical Center, 4701 X St, Sacramento, CA 95817 (R.W.K., P.F.B., M.I., C.S.B., W.R.N., R.A.M., F.K.O., D.M.B., V.C.P., B.W.C.) and the Department of Biostatistics, University of California at Davis (C.M.D., R.A.L.). Received October 15, 1998; revision requested November 11; revision received December 28; accepted April 30, 1999. Supported in part by Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan. Address reprint requests to R.W.K.


    Abstract
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
PURPOSE: To determine the weighted average sensitivity of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the prospective detection of acute neck injury and to compare these findings with those of a comprehensive conventional radiographic assessment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conventional radiography and MR imaging were performed in 199 patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center with suspected cervical spine injury. Weighted sensitivities and specificities were calculated, and a weighted average across eight vertebral levels from C1 to T1 was formed. Fourteen parameters indicative of acute injury were tabulated.

RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients had 172 acute cervical injuries. MR imaging depicted 136 (79%) acute abnormalities and conventional radiography depicted 39 (23%). For assessment of acute fractures, MR images (weighted average sensitivity, 43%; CI: 21%, 66%) were comparable to conventional radiographs (weighted average sensitivity, 48%; CI: 30%, 65%). MR imaging was superior to conventional radiography in the evaluation of pre- or paravertebral hemorrhage or edema, anterior or posterior longitudinal ligament injury, traumatic disk herniation, cord edema, and cord compression. Cord injuries were associated with cervical spine spondylosis (P < .05), acute fracture (P < .001), and canal stenosis (P < .001).

CONCLUSION: MR imaging is more accurate than radiography in the detection of a wide spectrum of neck injuries, and further study is warranted of its potential effect on medical decision making, clinical outcome, and cost-effectiveness.

Index terms: Magnetic resonance (MR), comparative studies, 31.121411, 31.121412 • Spinal cord, injuries, 341.41, 341.42, 341.444 • Spine, CT, 31.1211 • Spine, injuries, 31.41, 34.42, 34.444 • Spine, MR, 31.121411, 31.121412 • Spine, radiography, 31.11 • Trauma, 31.40


    Introduction
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
It has been estimated that there are more than 10,000 cervical spinal cord injuries in the United States per year (1) and that there is an estimated annual cost to society of approximately $2 billion for cervical spine injury (2). In a survey of 125 North American trauma centers (3), 96% of those responding stated that cervical spine collars are placed routinely on all patients admitted "from the field." To minimize the possibility of failure to diagnose occult injuries, it has become standard practice in many centers to perform conventional radiographic studies in all patients admitted with a history of substantial blunt trauma. Problematic with this are two opposing concerns: one is a potential overuse of medical resources in terms of both personnel and other costs, and the other is a concern for the inadequacy of use of this diagnostic modality alone because conventional radiographs generally are positive in only about 2%–5% of patients in this clinical setting (4).

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with use of systems with either high or low field strength, is of increasing utility in the evaluation of acute injuries to the cervical spine (514). This is in spite of the fact that MR imaging long has been perceived as being incompatible with the unpredictable clinical status and intensive monitoring requirements for patients in the emergency department. However, MR imaging provides unparalleled multiplanar depiction of soft-tissue injury, including ligament damage, intervertebral disk herniation, spinal cord injury, and prevertebral and paravertebral hemorrhage or edema after blunt cervical spine injury. Because MR imaging is not routinely used in most trauma centers, its utility as a frontline diagnostic modality is not settled. We installed a dedicated MR imaging trauma unit immediately adjacent to the emergency department in May 1994. Herein, we describe our findings in evaluation of the detection of cervical spine injury with conventional radiography compared with open-design, middle field strength MR imaging. Our study was prospective and was performed prior to spinal injury reduction. The readers were blinded, and we used a detailed statistical model whereby each vertebral level from C1 to T1 was assessed separately as a unit of observation.


    MATERIALS AND METHODS
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
This study includes 199 subjects (128 male subjects aged 9–78 years; 71 female subjects aged 10–90 years; overall mean age, 37.8 years) (Fig 1) with known or suspected nonpenetrating cervical spine trauma who presented to the emergency department at our institution between May 1994 and February 1995. The institutional review board approved the study, and informed consent was obtained after the procedure had been fully explained. If a patient was unable to consent but was hemodynamically stable, consent was obtained from the nearest relative. Patients who were pregnant and pediatric patients requiring sedation were excluded. All MR images of the cervical spine were obtained as soon as possible after the initial conventional radiographs were obtained. Most patients underwent MR imaging within 12 hours of presentation to the emergency room and 95% within 24 hours. Patients who were hemodynamically unstable or those requiring immediate interventional procedures were considered for delayed imaging, but they still underwent imaging within 72 hours of admission to the hospital.



View larger version (18K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 1. Histogram shows the number of patients examined for suspected cervical spine injury during the study period of May 1994 to February 1995 at our level 1 trauma center.

 
The study was divided into two phases. The initial phase of 101 subjects was a prospective, nonselective assessment of admissions to the emergency room prior to treatment, including all patients who were more than 6 years old and who had cervical spine trauma deemed sufficiently serious to require a radiographic assessment of the cervical spine. To encounter a higher prevalence of injury, the second phase was initiated. This phase of 98 subjects was also prospective, but it encompassed a selective assessment that involved those patients with a greater likelihood of cervical spine injury on the basis of history and physical examination results that included detection of a neurologic deficit or substantial neck pain. Specific criteria for this group were neurologic deficits referable to the cervical spinal cord or roots; fracture of the cervical spine and evaluation for possible associated ligament injury, traumatic disk extrusion, or occult osseous or ligament injury at other levels; subluxation of the cervical spine and assessment for associated ligament injury or traumatic disk extrusion at the level of the subluxation or associated injury at any other cervical level; unexplained severe posttraumatic neck pain; and need for "clearance of the cervical spine" following major trauma in patients with altered levels of consciousness.

In the statistical analysis, the data were pooled from both arms of the study patients. All 199 patients underwent a comprehensive neurologic examination. Most patient trauma was the result of motor vehicle accidents (n = 98 [49%]), followed by falls (n = 30 [15%]), assault (n = 22 [11%]), bicycle and motorcycle accidents (n = 20 [10%]), and automobile versus pedestrian accidents (n = 10 [5%]).

All patients underwent a comprehensive conventional radiographic assessment with the following projections: lateral, lateral swimmer's, anteroposterior, opened-mouth odontoid, Fuch odontoid, and both posterior oblique projections. The quality of images was assessed on-line by a radiology resident or attending staff member. Additional radiographs were acquired as deemed necessary, and in some cases digital images were acquired.

All patients were examined with use of an open-design 0.3-T MR imaging unit (MRP 7000; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan). Unlike the standard 1.5-T high field strength MR imaging systems, this open-design, vertical, middle field strength MR imaging system allows direct patient visualization and the use of standard ventilatory and infusion devices in addition to MR imaging–compatible monitoring equipment. Imaging was performed with a minimum of three sequences by using a solenoid neck coil: sagittal T1 weighted (650/25 [repetition time msec/echo time msec]),T2-weighted gradient echo (560/35, 20° flip angle), and fast spin echo (4,500/117). Section thickness was 4 mm with a 1-mm gap. If any abnormalities were identified, additional axial T1-weighted (760/25) and gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) images were obtained. The total imaging time for a three-sequence examination was 20 minutes. A five-sequence study required approximately 35 minutes. A gradient-echo sequence with a high flip angle (250/15, 70° flip angle) was sometimes used to improve contrast between the intervertebral disk and the cerebrospinal fluid.

Computed tomography (CT) (model 900; Toshiba, Kawasaki, Japan) was performed in 17 of the 199 patients in the study. At our institution, CT is used only to further assess the possibility or to further clarify the extent of osseous abnormalities. We therefore performed CT in a relatively small number of cases, and the comparison of CT scans with MR images and conventional radiographs is thus only descriptive. The CT protocol consisted of 5- or 3-mm contiguous axial sections of the local area of concern, and images were obtained without the administration of intravenous or intrathecal of contrast agents. Sagittally reformatted images were also obtained routinely.

With use of each vertebral level as the unit of observation, an anatomic location was defined as the portion of the closest vertebra that intersected a horizontal line drawn through the abnormality. Locations were thus established and tabulated for the nearest vertebral level. If any component of a lesion extended to a contiguous anatomic segment, then it also was tabulated to involve that segment. Fourteen parameters indicative of acute injury were assessed and tabulated for each of the eight spinal levels encompassing the first cervical (C1) to the first thoracic (T1) vertebrae as follows: acute fracture, subluxation or dislocation of the facets, subluxation or dislocation of the vertebra, traumatic disk herniation, epidural hemorrhage, cord edema, cord hemorrhage, cord compression, cord transection, anterior longitudinal ligament damage, posterior longitudinal ligament damage, interspinal ligament damage, prevertebral hemorrhage or edema, and paravertebral hemorrhage or edema. In addition, preexisting disease of the cervical spine was assessed and included healed vertebral fracture, disk spondylosis, facet spondylosis, end-plate marrow change, focal disk herniation, foraminal stenosis, canal stenosis, and degenerative subluxation. Thus, there was a tabulation of 22 anatomic characteristics at eight separate levels (ie, C1–T1) in 199 patients for both conventional radiography and MR imaging, which equates to 70,048 distinct observations.

Because surgical confirmation was rarely available and surgical observations are not thought to be completely accurate (8), we established a standard of truth at each vertebral level. This standard of truth was determined by two experienced radiologists (P.F.B., V.C.P.) who worked in consultation and had access to all available clinical and imaging information, which included conventional radiographs, MR images, and CT scans obtained at the time of presentation in the emergency department or subsequently. All information available from the clinical records of the emergency department, prehospitalization records, inpatient records with discharge summary, and any surgical records were also used. Review was not performed until all of these elements were collated. During this review, observations were recorded on the data sheets, which were identical to those used by the blinded readers. If any disagreements arose between the two reference standard readers, a consensus was forced at that time. There were no persistent or major disagreements during this detailed and rigorous review process. Some subsequent MR images used by the reference standard readers were acquired on a 1.5-T MR system (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, Wis).

A separate two-person set of readers (C.S.B., F.K.O.) worked completely independently to assess the conventional radiographs at each vertebral level, and a second two-person set of readers (W.R.N., B.W.C.) also worked independently to assess the MR imaging findings at each vertebral level. The conventional radiograph and MR image readers were blinded to any clinical information or any of the other imaging findings. The readers did not consult, and their evaluations were tabulated separately. The CT scans were assessed separately by the same two neuroradiologists, who each assessed the MR images at a different time and also without access to the clinical information.

Many of the criteria used to characterize injury as depicted at MR imaging were reported by Flanders et al (10). Fracture is determined on the basis of alteration in the configuration of the vertebra or break in the cortical continuity with or without alteration in the signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. In comparison to the surrounding marrow, edema of the marrow of the vertebra is depicted as a region with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and as a region with higher signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Spinal cord edema is determined on the basis of the presence of intramedullary foci of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Intramedullary hematoma is determined on the basis of the presence of foci of high signal intensity on T1-weighted images or foci of low signal intensity on T2-weighted, spin-echo, or gradient-echo images. Traumatic disk herniation is defined as disk protrusions associated with increased signal intensity of the disk tissue on T2-weighted images or as the presence of associated injuries to the paraspinal soft tissues or spinal cord at the same level. Ligament injury is defined as high signal intensity in the ligament itself or frank interruption of the dark band of the ligaments on T2-weighted images. Pre- or paravertebral hemorrhage or edema is defined as regions of low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and as regions of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, with or without the presence of soft-tissue widening or swelling.

The presence of preexistent spondylosis or stenosis on either MR images or conventional radiographs was determined by means of subjective assessment. For example, disk space narrowing, marginal osteophytes, and configurational changes of vertebrae with sclerosis were findings considered degenerative in nature. Fracture at conventional radiography was defined as a break, either complete or incomplete, in the cortical continuity of a bone, with or without alteration in configuration. Dislocation of vertebrae was determined as a complete disruption of the normal contact between articular surfaces. Subluxation was defined as the circumstance in which the joint surfaces maintain some degree of contact but without normal alignment. Soft-tissue edema or hemorrhage on conventional radiographs was determined if there was widening of the retropharyngeal space, widening of the retrotracheal space, displacement of the prevertebral fat stripe, or tracheal displacement in either the anteroposterior or lateral projections. Ligament injury was suspected with widening of the anterior or posterior intravertebral spaces or widening of the interspinal space.

Sensitivity and specificity were the basis for statistical comparisons between MR imaging and conventional radiography. A standard approach for calculating these measurements is the recording of injury status of the patient as detected with the modality and the comparison with a reference standard that is assumed to be a measure of injury status without error. This method, however, neglects the potential for disagreement at each vertebral level. A theoretic combination of possibilities is shown in Figure 2. Note, for example, in Figure 2 that a patient could have fracture in six hypothetical scenarios, but only scenario A represents complete agreement of the modality with the reference standard. Observations within the same subject do not necessarily provide the same information as observations in different patients. We calculated weighted average sensitivities and specificities at each vertebra and formed a weighted average across the eight levels. CIs were constructed based on these weighted averages and accounted for correlations in vertebrae in the same subject.



View larger version (31K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 2. A-F, Schematic shows six sets of hypothetical combinations. The reference standard, or left column of eight squares (which represents C1-T1) is positive for vertebral injury and is compared with the reader's possible interpretations, the right column of eight squares. Positive findings are depicted as black squares, which represent the vertebrae. In A, for example, the reference standard is positive for injury at C1 and C2, and the readers detected injury at C1 and C2, which represents complete agreement. In B, the readers determined that injury occurred at C3 and C4, whereas the reference standard determined that injury occurred at C1 and C2. Thus, though the patient was determined to have injury, there was complete disagreement with use of the vertebral level as the unit of observation. We took all possibilities into consideration in our statistical model. We assessed the data by using both the patient and the vertebral level as the units of observation.

 
Significant differences between modalities were accepted when there was no overlap in the CIs for any one of the 22 parameters of abnormality assessed. In circumstances in which CIs could not be calculated owing to the complete lack of detection of a positive finding by means of one modality, such as the inability of conventional radiography to depict traumatic disk herniation, cord edema, or cord compression, it was assumed that MR imaging is significantly better if there were at least 10 positive observations with that modality. Thus, in the case of paravertebral hemorrhage or edema, conventional radiography depicted none of the occurrences in 32 subjects at 141 levels, whereas MR imaging had a 60% (CI, 42%–77%) weighted average sensitivity for this observation. In this particular circumstance, we conclude that MR imaging is significantly better than the conventional radiographic assessment. The {chi}2 test was used, with the patient as the unit of observation, to assess associations between injury types (such as cord edema) and risk factors (such as cord stenosis) with significance accepted when the P value was less than .05. Reader agreement for conventional radiography and MR imaging was measured by means of {kappa} statistics (15).


    RESULTS
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
There were no untoward events or injuries that resulted from use of our MR imaging system in the trauma setting. The tabulation of findings in acute versus chronic categories is displayed in Tables 1 and 2. In comparing the first group of patients (n = 101) versus the second, more selective group (n = 98) with a greater likelihood of cervical spine injury, we noted acute fractures in 3% (three patients) in the first group versus 11% (11 patients) in the second group, acute facet subluxation or dislocation in 2% (two patients) versus 7% (seven patients), acute vertebral subluxation or dislocation in 3% (three patients) versus 10% (10 patients), prevertebral hemorrhage or edema in 7% (seven patients) versus 31% (30 patients), paravertebral hemorrhage or edema in 6% (six patients) versus 26% (26 patients), anterior longitudinal ligament damage in 2% (two patients) versus 11% (11 patients), posterior longitudinal ligament damage in 1% (one patient) versus 7% (seven patients), interspinal ligament damage in 2% (two patients) versus 4% (four patients), traumatic disk herniation in 1% (one patient) versus 9% (nine patients), cord edema in 4% (four patients) versus 11% (11 patients), cord compression in 5% (five patients) versus 10% (10 patients), and epidural hemorrhage in 1% (one patient) versus 0% (no patients). The remainder of the results represents a combination of the latter two groups into one complete study group. In the combined 58 patients with one or more acute cervical spine injuries of any type, MR images were positive in 50 (86%), and conventional radiographs were positive in 44 (76%). In the 172 acute injuries in 58 patients, MR images depicted 136 (79%), and conventional radiographs depicted 39 (23%) (Figs 37). Of the 36 injuries not detectable at MR imaging, the majority were skeletal abnormalities and included acute fracture, facet subluxation, and vertebral subluxation that were depicted on conventional radiographs or CT images. Cord injury was more prevalent in association with degenerative spinal disease (P < .05, {chi}2), acute skeletal fracture (P < .001), and canal stenosis (P < .001). There was no association between degenerative spinal disease and ligament injury (P = .726). There were 21 vertebral fractures in 14 patients, 18 acute facet subluxations or dislocations in nine patients, and 26 acute vertebral subluxations or dislocations in 13 patients. Superficial soft-tissue injuries such as prevertebral hemorrhage or edema were found in 37 patients at 142 levels, and paravertebral hemorrhage or edema was found in 32 patients at 141 levels. There was anterior longitudinal ligament damage in 13 patients involving 26 levels, posterior longitudinal ligament damage in eight patients at 16 levels, and interspinal ligament damage in six patients at 18 vertebral levels. Traumatic disk herniation was noted in 10 patients at 21 levels, cord edema was noted in 15 patients at 39 levels, and cord compression involved 15 patients at 36 levels. Epidural hemorrhage was noted in only one subject, and there were no cases of cord hemorrhage or cord transection. Chronic changes detected in this patient population are shown in Table 2. Degenerative subluxation, end-plate marrow changes, and facet spondylosis are noted to occur in an older patient population with a mean age of approximately 64 years.


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 1. Findings in Acute Injuries
 

View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 2. Findings in Chronic Changes
 


View larger version (125K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3a. Conventional radiographs of the cervical spine obtained in a 78-year-old man with possible cervical spine injury from a motor vehicle accident. (a) Lateral conventional, (b) lateral swimmer's digital, (c) anteroposterior conventional, and (d) oblique conventional radiographs obtained at the time of presentation depict the cervical spine poorly, with only the upper C5 vertebral level seen clearly. Severe degenerative changes are noted with large anterior osteophytes (arrows in a and b) noted at the C2-3 interspace. d shows osteophytic encroachment (arrow) on the C4-5 neural foramen and disk space narrowing (arrowheads).

 


View larger version (174K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3b. Conventional radiographs of the cervical spine obtained in a 78-year-old man with possible cervical spine injury from a motor vehicle accident. (a) Lateral conventional, (b) lateral swimmer's digital, (c) anteroposterior conventional, and (d) oblique conventional radiographs obtained at the time of presentation depict the cervical spine poorly, with only the upper C5 vertebral level seen clearly. Severe degenerative changes are noted with large anterior osteophytes (arrows in a and b) noted at the C2-3 interspace. d shows osteophytic encroachment (arrow) on the C4-5 neural foramen and disk space narrowing (arrowheads).

 


View larger version (160K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3c. Conventional radiographs of the cervical spine obtained in a 78-year-old man with possible cervical spine injury from a motor vehicle accident. (a) Lateral conventional, (b) lateral swimmer's digital, (c) anteroposterior conventional, and (d) oblique conventional radiographs obtained at the time of presentation depict the cervical spine poorly, with only the upper C5 vertebral level seen clearly. Severe degenerative changes are noted with large anterior osteophytes (arrows in a and b) noted at the C2-3 interspace. d shows osteophytic encroachment (arrow) on the C4-5 neural foramen and disk space narrowing (arrowheads).

 


View larger version (123K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 3d. Conventional radiographs of the cervical spine obtained in a 78-year-old man with possible cervical spine injury from a motor vehicle accident. (a) Lateral conventional, (b) lateral swimmer's digital, (c) anteroposterior conventional, and (d) oblique conventional radiographs obtained at the time of presentation depict the cervical spine poorly, with only the upper C5 vertebral level seen clearly. Severe degenerative changes are noted with large anterior osteophytes (arrows in a and b) noted at the C2-3 interspace. d shows osteophytic encroachment (arrow) on the C4-5 neural foramen and disk space narrowing (arrowheads).

 


View larger version (128K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4a. MR images obtained at 0.3 T in the same 78-year-old patient as in Figure 3. Sagittal (a) T2-weighted (1,500/117) and (b) gradient-echo (250/15, 70° flip angle) images show marked fluid or hemorrhage (white solid arrows in a) in the prevertebral space, disk space edema or hemorrhage (open arrows in a), and cord edema (curved arrows in a and b). Fractures of the C4 and C5 vertebrae (white arrows in b) are noted. The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments are intact. None of these injuries were suspected on the radiographs in Figure 3.

 


View larger version (125K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 4b. MR images obtained at 0.3 T in the same 78-year-old patient as in Figure 3. Sagittal (a) T2-weighted (1,500/117) and (b) gradient-echo (250/15, 70° flip angle) images show marked fluid or hemorrhage (white solid arrows in a) in the prevertebral space, disk space edema or hemorrhage (open arrows in a), and cord edema (curved arrows in a and b). Fractures of the C4 and C5 vertebrae (white arrows in b) are noted. The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments are intact. None of these injuries were suspected on the radiographs in Figure 3.

 


View larger version (91K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5a. (a) Conventional lateral radiograph and (b-d) MR images obtained in a 76-year-old man who sustained a hyperflexion injury to the cervical spine and presented to the emergency room with quadriparesis. a shows evidence of moderate to severe degenerative disk disease of the upper cervical spine but no evidence of fracture or dislocation. The lateral swimmer's, anteroposterior, oblique, and odontoid projections (not shown) were negative for traumatic abnormality. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted (510/35) MR image obtained at 0.3 T shows a large posterior disk extrusion (arrows) that compresses the cord. (c) The resultant cord contusion (arrows) is seen on the sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) image. (d) The axial T1-weighted (760/25) MR image further characterizes the posterior central to right paracentral disk extrusion (arrows).

 


View larger version (109K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5b. (a) Conventional lateral radiograph and (b-d) MR images obtained in a 76-year-old man who sustained a hyperflexion injury to the cervical spine and presented to the emergency room with quadriparesis. a shows evidence of moderate to severe degenerative disk disease of the upper cervical spine but no evidence of fracture or dislocation. The lateral swimmer's, anteroposterior, oblique, and odontoid projections (not shown) were negative for traumatic abnormality. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted (510/35) MR image obtained at 0.3 T shows a large posterior disk extrusion (arrows) that compresses the cord. (c) The resultant cord contusion (arrows) is seen on the sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) image. (d) The axial T1-weighted (760/25) MR image further characterizes the posterior central to right paracentral disk extrusion (arrows).

 


View larger version (120K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5c. (a) Conventional lateral radiograph and (b-d) MR images obtained in a 76-year-old man who sustained a hyperflexion injury to the cervical spine and presented to the emergency room with quadriparesis. a shows evidence of moderate to severe degenerative disk disease of the upper cervical spine but no evidence of fracture or dislocation. The lateral swimmer's, anteroposterior, oblique, and odontoid projections (not shown) were negative for traumatic abnormality. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted (510/35) MR image obtained at 0.3 T shows a large posterior disk extrusion (arrows) that compresses the cord. (c) The resultant cord contusion (arrows) is seen on the sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) image. (d) The axial T1-weighted (760/25) MR image further characterizes the posterior central to right paracentral disk extrusion (arrows).

 


View larger version (130K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 5d. (a) Conventional lateral radiograph and (b-d) MR images obtained in a 76-year-old man who sustained a hyperflexion injury to the cervical spine and presented to the emergency room with quadriparesis. a shows evidence of moderate to severe degenerative disk disease of the upper cervical spine but no evidence of fracture or dislocation. The lateral swimmer's, anteroposterior, oblique, and odontoid projections (not shown) were negative for traumatic abnormality. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted (510/35) MR image obtained at 0.3 T shows a large posterior disk extrusion (arrows) that compresses the cord. (c) The resultant cord contusion (arrows) is seen on the sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) image. (d) The axial T1-weighted (760/25) MR image further characterizes the posterior central to right paracentral disk extrusion (arrows).

 


View larger version (69K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6a. Conventional radiographs obtained in the (a) lateral and (b) anteroposterior projections poorly demonstrate a C6 burst fracture in a 28-year-old male steel worker who fell from approximately 30 feet. The patient's shoulders obscure C6 in a, and the compression of C6 is better appreciated on the anteroposterior (arrows in b) and lateral swimmer's (not shown) projections.

 


View larger version (108K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 6b. Conventional radiographs obtained in the (a) lateral and (b) anteroposterior projections poorly demonstrate a C6 burst fracture in a 28-year-old male steel worker who fell from approximately 30 feet. The patient's shoulders obscure C6 in a, and the compression of C6 is better appreciated on the anteroposterior (arrows in b) and lateral swimmer's (not shown) projections.

 


View larger version (91K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7a. Axial (a) CT scan and (b) T1-weighted (760/25) MR images obtained in the same patient as in Figure 6. The vertical, parasagittal vertebral fracture (double arrows in a) and the anteriorly displaced laminar fractures (single arrows in a) that create a narrowing of the anteroposterior canal diameter (arrows in b) are depicted. (c) Sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) MR image demonstrates anterior wedging and retropulsion of the C6 vertebra (arrowhead), anterior longitudinal ligament stretching, posterior longitudinal ligament stretching, and flaval ligament tears (curved arrows). Cord contusion (straight arrows) spans three vertebral levels.

 


View larger version (126K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7b. Axial (a) CT scan and (b) T1-weighted (760/25) MR images obtained in the same patient as in Figure 6. The vertical, parasagittal vertebral fracture (double arrows in a) and the anteriorly displaced laminar fractures (single arrows in a) that create a narrowing of the anteroposterior canal diameter (arrows in b) are depicted. (c) Sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) MR image demonstrates anterior wedging and retropulsion of the C6 vertebra (arrowhead), anterior longitudinal ligament stretching, posterior longitudinal ligament stretching, and flaval ligament tears (curved arrows). Cord contusion (straight arrows) spans three vertebral levels.

 


View larger version (107K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
Figure 7c. Axial (a) CT scan and (b) T1-weighted (760/25) MR images obtained in the same patient as in Figure 6. The vertical, parasagittal vertebral fracture (double arrows in a) and the anteriorly displaced laminar fractures (single arrows in a) that create a narrowing of the anteroposterior canal diameter (arrows in b) are depicted. (c) Sagittal gradient-echo (500/35, 20° flip angle) MR image demonstrates anterior wedging and retropulsion of the C6 vertebra (arrowhead), anterior longitudinal ligament stretching, posterior longitudinal ligament stretching, and flaval ligament tears (curved arrows). Cord contusion (straight arrows) spans three vertebral levels.

 
With vertebral levels as units of observation, MR imaging showed a weighted average sensitivity for traumatic disk herniation of 71% (CI: 36%, 96%; {kappa}, 0.4), for cord edema of 42% (CI: 22%, 64%; {kappa}, 0.6), and for cord compression of 38% (CI: 18%, 59%; {kappa}, 0.7). The weighted average sensitivities and CIs for MR imaging versus conventional radiography are displayed for acute injuries in Table 3 and for chronic changes in Table 4. There was no significant difference in the 43% weighted average sensitivity of MR imaging (CI: 21%, 66%; {kappa}, 0.5) versus the 48% weighted average sensitivity for conventional radiography (CI: 30%, 65%; {kappa}, 0.6) for detection of acute fracture. In the 14 patients with fractures, these two modalities depicted fractures in nine of the same patients and in five different patients (three at conventional radiography and two at MR imaging). When positive findings at MR imaging and conventional radiography are taken together, there was only one complete miss in 14 patients (93% detection rate).


View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 3. MR Imaging versus Conventional Radiography: Acute Injuries
 

View this table:
[in this window]
[in a new window]
 
TABLE 4. MR Imaging versus Conventional Radiography: Chronic Changes
 
MR imaging was significantly better than conventional radiography in the depiction of prevertebral hemorrhage or edema (weighted average sensitivity, 55%; CI: 38%, 70%; {kappa}, 0.6), paravertebral hemorrhage or edema (weighted average sensitivity, 60%; CI: 42%, 77%; {kappa}, 0.6), and anterior longitudinal ligament damage (weighted average sensitivity, 46%; CI: 23%, 70%; {kappa}, 0.4) (Table 3). MR imaging showed a tendency to be better than conventional radiography for depicting injuries to the posterior longitudinal and interspinal ligaments, though there was a slight overlap in CIs.

The statistical assessment of MR imaging versus conventional radiography for chronic changes is displayed in Table 4. MR imaging was significantly better for the evaluation of canal stenosis. MR imaging showed a weighted average sensitivity of 37% (CI: 19%, 57%) for focal disk herniation. For the detection of degenerative subluxation, facet spondylosis, and foraminal stenosis, conventional radiography was statistically superior to MR imaging.

As was done for the assessment of weighted average sensitivities at each vertebral level, we performed similar analysis on the specificities of each imaging modality; however, a lack of false-negative findings—large weighted average specificities, all close to 99%—did not allow a significant separation.

We were unable to acquire enough CT data to construct CIs, so the results are descriptive. The CT evaluation of bone injuries on a per patient unit of observation showed a weighted average sensitivity of 86%. When assessed on a per vertebra level, the weighted average sensitivity was 65%. In the 10 patients with fractures who underwent CT assessment, there were two misses, for an 80% detection rate versus a 93% detection rate in the 14 patients with MR images plus conventional radiographs. In the 17 patients examined by means of CT, there were 72 injuries. In this subset of patients, conventional radiographs depicted 18 (25%) of these findings, MR images depicted 62 (86%), and CT scans depicted 15 (21%). Thus, CT did not seem to be competitive with MR imaging for the depiction of acute injuries other than fractures, but these results cannot be proved owing to the small sample size.


    DISCUSSION
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 
Findings in this prospective assessment of cervical spine trauma in 199 patients supports the potential clinical utility of middle field strength MR imaging in the initial diagnostic assessment of injury. Findings at MR imaging were comparable to those at conventional radiography for acute fractures and were superior for the evaluation of prevertebral hemorrhage or edema, paravertebral hemorrhage or edema, anterior longitudinal ligament injury, posterior longitudinal ligament injury, traumatic disk herniation, cord edema, cord compression, canal stenosis, and focal disk herniation. Of the 178 acute injuries in 58 patients, MR imaging had a threefold higher yield than conventional radiography, 79% versus 23%, in the depiction of injury. In the subset of patients who underwent CT, conventional radiographs depicted 25%, MR images depicted 86%, and CT scans depicted 21% of acute injuries. The suggestion that MR imaging and conventional radiography are complementary and also potentially effective for the detection of osseous injury and are competitive with CT warrants a more detailed and rigorous assessment.

We found equal weighted average sensitivities for fracture detection in comparing radiography and MR imaging. With all modalities available, however, the reference standard readers recognized that fracture detection with MR imaging required a substantial period of learning. With careful analysis and re-review, most osseous fractures could be seen on MR images by the reference standard readers. Fracture displacement, bone marrow edema, and adjacent soft-tissue edema or hemorrhage were substantial aids in fracture detection at MR imaging. The need for training in interpretation cannot be overemphasized.

Flanders et al (10) and others (1114) have established that MR imaging should be considered the standard of reference in the detection of soft-tissue injury associated with cervical spine trauma. In their study, the sensitivity of MR imaging in the depiction of disk protrusion was 44%, of spinal cord swelling was 33%, of spinal cord compression was 77%, and of prevertebral edema was 35%. On the other hand, conventional radiographic and CT findings have been suggested by Goldberg et al (7) to have little correlation with the patient's neurologic status and thus to be of little or no prognostic value. Kulkarni et al (6) used MR imaging at 1.5 T and have suggested a high degree of correlation between three cord injury patterns and patient outcome. The first pattern described is edema due to only contusion, which indicates a more favorable prognosis with potential for reversibility. The second pattern is that of blood alone, which indicates a more substantial axonal injury and much less potential for reversibility. The third pattern is a mixed pattern of blood and edema, which indicates an intermediate prognosis with some potential for recovery (16). The craniocaudal length of the segment of abnormal cord signal intensity from contusion has been correlated with prognosis by Schaefer et al (17). Their study results indicate that if cord contusion is greater than one vertebral level in length, the prognosis is less favorable.

Emergency physicians routinely assess clinically for evidence of instability once radiographs are declared negative. Instability can result from fracture alone, ligament disruption alone, or a combination of these injuries. As defined by White and Southwick (18), clinical instability is the inability to maintain normal associations between vertebrae while under a physiologic load. Instability may lead to subsequent injury of the spinal cord or nerve roots or substantial pain or deformity. Presence of instability or neurologic deficit should prompt consideration of an MR imaging assessment. If substantial pain is present or if instability is suggested on radiographs, further evaluation with flexion-extension radiography is sometimes performed. The reliability of this examination in the acute phase of injury has been questioned (19). Furthermore, the complete cervical spine, including the cervicothoracic junction, is not routinely visible on lateral flexion-extension radiographs, and radiographs can only imply instability by demonstrating abnormal motion. MR imaging, on the other hand, allows direct visualization of not only morphologic changes within the bones and soft tissues, including the ligaments, but also of signal intensity abnormality usually due to edema or blood. The multiplanar capabilities of MR imaging allow excellent assessments of the anterior and posterior longitudinal and flaval ligaments, which are the three major ligament groups believed to provide stability.

Posttraumatic disk herniation is demonstrated exceptionally well at MR imaging and was depicted in 10 patients at 21 vertebral levels, which was much less prevalent than the findings reported by Flanders et al (10). None of these disk herniations were depicted on either conventional radiographs (Table 3) or CT scans in our series. Secondary findings of cervical disk damage include increased signal intensity of the injured disk on the T2-weighted images, which possibly represents edematous changes and the presence of associated injuries to the paraspinal soft tissues or spinal cord at the same level. The presence of a herniated disk fragment does not necessarily imply a deleterious clinical consequence (10).

The relation between preexistent cervical spine skeletal abnormalities—such as spondylosis, central canal stenosis, and acute fracture—and cord or ligament injury is controversial (20). We found a significant association between the occurrence of cord injury in conditions of underlying spondylosis, central canal stenosis, and acute vertebral fracture.

Patients with spondylosis who have hyperextension injury are at higher risk for central cord syndrome (21). The mechanism leading to the central cord injury is posterior disk bulging and anterior buckling of the hypertrophied flaval ligament with hyperextension. The central gray matter and adjacent tracts are injured, which accounts for the predominance of weakness in the upper extremities and the eventual decrease in pain and temperature sensation. These injuries may be radiographically occult (Figs 35) (22). MR imaging, however, can demonstrate injury to the spinal cord and ligament injury or disk injury, such as a fracture through the disk or disk extrusion.

Our study in many ways parallels that of Orrison et al (23), in which MR imaging was used prospectively in acute spinal trauma. Our rationale is similar to the one used in their study, and we used a middle field strength MR imaging system that allows examination of patients who are critically ill. The combination of open design and middle to low field strength enables both direct access and the ability to monitor patients who are difficult to examine in a more traditional high field strength MR imager. The latter have limitations of confined space and strong magnetic fields, which make it difficult to provide respiratory and cardiovascular monitoring, traction devices, and accessibility to the patient for suctioning and direct clinical observation. In a retrospective review of 113 consecutive spinal trauma cases in which a low field strength (0.064 T) magnet was used, Orrison et al (23) determined that MR imaging was superior to either CT or conventional radiography in the evaluation of soft-tissue or ligament injury. They found, however, that MR imaging had a substantially lower rate of positive findings for fracture than did CT, and it was also significantly less sensitive for fracture than was conventional radiography. Spinal cord contusion, epidural hematoma, high-grade stenosis, and ligament or soft-tissue injury were best evaluated with MR imaging. Our results differ somewhat in that MR images obtained at 0.3 T were not significantly different from conventional radiographs in the depiction of fracture and appeared to have a complementary role. We agree, however, as has also been suggested by Orrison et al (11), that MR imaging may be the modality of choice in acute cervical spine trauma and that CT should be reserved for selected patients with complex fractures.

Problematic with any study such as this is the lack of what might be considered a definitive standard of truth with which comparisons can be made. As mentioned by Flanders et al (10), surgical confirmation of MR imaging findings is not regularly available nor are the observations made at the time of surgery thought to be completely accurate because anterior surgical decompression does not allow direct visualization of the damaged disk in situ (8,10). Even in that important investigation (10), the standard of truth in the comparison of CT with MR imaging, the modality reputedly offering the best definition of a particular abnormality, was used as the reference standard. Thus, CT was considered the reference standard in all observations that related to disruption of the bone axis, and MR imaging was the reference standard for all observations related to the spinal cord and paraspinal soft tissues. This method has been the rule in the literature rather than the exception in assessment of the relative merits of different modalities in cervical spine trauma. We have attempted to establish a more detailed and comprehensive standard of truth by having two experienced radiologists reviewing all conventional radiographs, all MR images at the time of presentation or thereafter, all CT scans, the emergency department clinical record, the prehospital clinical record, inpatient records with the discharge summary, and surgical records if surgery was performed. The final determination of the standard of truth was completed after all the latter elements were collated and assessed.

The value of a prospective study such as ours is that it allows the possibility of gaining insights into the relative merits of differing modalities without being heavily biased toward patients with injury. The disadvantage of our approach, however, is the relatively low prevalence of traumatic disease, which led us to be more selective in the second group of patients (n = 98). For example, in the first group of consecutive patients (n = 101), acute fractures were demonstrated in only 3% (three patients), cord edema in only 4% (four patients), and cord compression in only 5% (five patients). We were more selective in the second group of patients (n = 98), and acute fractures were demonstrated in 11% (11 patients), cord edema in 11% (11 patients), and cord compression in 10% (10 patients). In spite of this, our selection bias is not nearly as great as that in previous retrospective studies such as that by Kulkarni et al (6), in which 70% (19 of 27) of patients had cord abnormalities and 78% (21 of 27) had skeletal or ligament injuries. In the study by Mirvis et al (8), all 21 patients had acute neurologic deficits following cervical spine trauma, and in the study by Flanders et al (10) all 78 patients had a demonstrable cervical fracture or subluxation or a neurologic deficit. Thus, the second arm of our investigation, though tending toward a higher prevalence of traumatic disease, is not nearly as strongly weighted toward severe injury as has been reported in the more common retrospective studies, which allows a greater depth of appreciation about the true sensitivity of a modality for any abnormality. Also advantageous to us was our ability to perform imaging prior to treatment.

Another weakness of this investigation was the relatively limited number of CT imaging assessments in this patient population. CT examinations were performed in only 8% (17 of 199) of patients. Thus, our comparison of CT with conventional radiography and MR imaging can be only anecdotal. Our use of CT in trauma to the cervical spine is, however, not necessarily unusual. In a 19-month study of 4,134 patients admitted to a shock trauma center, cervical spine CT examinations were requested in only 9.9% (408 of 4,135) of patients (4). We hope other prospective studies, perhaps similar to ours, can incorporate a more comprehensive analysis of the relative merits of CT, conventional radiography, and MR imaging in the initial presentation of patients with acute neck injuries.

In conclusion, MR imaging provides an opportunity for unparalleled detection of soft-tissue injury, including ligament damage, intervertebral disk herniation, spinal cord injury, and pre- and paravertebral hemorrhage or edema after cervical spine injury, yet it is rarely used in most trauma centers. The results of this prospective study of 199 patients confirm the clinical feasibility and utility of middle field strength MR imaging in the initial assessment of cervical spine trauma. We believe that MR imaging should be strongly considered in the early evaluation of cervical spine injury.


    Acknowledgments
 
We thank Deborah Hoang, BA, for editorial assistance.


    Footnotes
 
2 Current address: Southern Oregon Imaging, Medford Radiological, Medford, Ore. Back

3 Current address: Aurora, Ohio. Back

4 Current address: Department of Radiology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah. Back

Author contributions: Guarantors of integrity of entire study, R.W.K., P.F.B.; study concepts, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.M.D., M.I., R.A.L., V.C.P., B.W.C.; study design, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.M.D., R.A.L., C.S.B.; definition of intellectual content, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.M.D., M.I., R.A.L.; literature research, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.S.B.; clinical studies, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.S.B., W.R.N., R.A.M., F.K.O., D.M.B., V.C.P., B.W.C.; experimental studies, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.M.D., M.I., R.A.L.; data acquisition, all authors; data analysis, R.W.K., C.M.D., M.I., R.A.L., D.M.B.; statistical analysis, C.M.D., M.I., R.A.L.; manuscript preparation, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.M.D., R.A.L., C.S.B.; manuscript editing, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.S.B.; manuscript review, R.W.K., P.F.B., C.M.D., R.A.L., C.S.B., W.R.N., R.A.M., F.K.O.


    References
 TOP
 Abstract
 Introduction
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 References
 

  1. Vandemark RM. Radiology of the cervical spine in trauma patients: practice pitfalls and recommendations for improving efficiency and communication. AJR 1990; 155:465-472.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  2. Reid DC, Henderson R, Sabor L, Miller JDR. Etiology and clinical course of missed spine fractures. J Trauma 1987; 27:980-986.[Medline]
  3. Mace SE. Emergency evaluation of cervical spine injuries: CT versus plain radiographs. Ann Emerg Med 1985; 10:973-975.
  4. Mirvis SE, Diaconis JN, Chirico PA, Reiner BI, Joslyn JN, Militello P. Protocol-driven radiologic evaluation of suspected cervical spine injury: efficacy study. Radiology 1989; 170:831-834.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  5. McArdle CB, Crofford MJ, Mirfakhrace M, Amparo EG, Calhoun JS. Surface coil MR of spinal trauma: preliminary experience. AJNR 1986; 7:885-893.[Abstract]
  6. Kulkarni MV, McArdle CB, Kopanicky D, et al. Acute spinal cord injury: MR imaging at 1.5 T. Radiology 1987; 164:837-843.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Goldberg AL, Rothfus WE, Deeb ZL, et al. The impact of magnetic resonance on the diagnostic evaluation of cervicothoracic spinal trauma. Skeletal Radiol 1988; 17:89-95.[Medline]
  8. Mirvis SE, Geisler FH, Jelinek JJ, Joslyn JN, Gellad F. Acute cervical spine trauma: evaluation with 1.5-T MR imaging. Radiology 1988; 166:807-816.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  9. Manelfe C. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord. Diagn Intervent Radiol 1989; 1:3-14.
  10. Flanders AE, Schaefer DM, Doan HT, Mishkin MM, Gonzalez CF, Northrup BE. Acute cervical spine trauma: correlation of MR imaging findings with degree of neurologic deficit. Radiology 1990; 177:25-33.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  11. Orrison WW, Jr, Stimac GK, Stevens EA, et al. Comparison of CT, low-field-strength MR imaging, and high-field-strength MR imaging: work in progress. Radiology 1991; 181:121-127.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  12. El-Khoury GY, Kathol MH, Daniel WW. Imaging of acute injuries of the cervical spine: value of plain radiography, CT and MR imaging. AJR 1995; 164:43-50.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  13. Flanders AE, Spettell CM, Tartaglino LM, Friedman DP, Herbison GJ. Forecasting motor recovery after cervical spinal cord injury: value of MR imaging. Radiology 1996; 201:649-655.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  14. Benzel EC, Hart BL, Ball PA, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of patients with occult cervical spine injury. J Neurosurg 1996; 85:824-829.[Medline]
  15. Fleiss JL. Statistical methods for rates and proportions 2nd ed. New York, NY: Wiley & Sons, 1981.
  16. Hackney DB, Asato R, Joseph PM, et al. Hemorrhage and edema in acute spinal cord compression: demonstration by MR imaging. Radiology 1986; 161:387-390.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  17. Schaefer DM, Flanders AE, Doan HT, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of acute cervical spine trauma: correlation with severity of neurologic injury. Spine 1989; 14:1090-1095.[Medline]
  18. White AA, Southwick WO. Clinical instability in the lower cervical spine: a review of past and current concepts. Spine 1976; 1:15-27.
  19. Lewis LM, Docherty M, Ruoff BE, Fortney JP, Keltner RA, Jr, Britton P. Flexion-extension views in the evaluation of cervical-spine injuries. Ann Emerg Med 1991; 20:117-121.[Medline]
  20. Hackney DB. Denominators of spinal cord injury. Radiology 1990; 177:18-20.[Free Full Text]
  21. Regenbogen VS, Rogers LF, Atlas SW, Kim KS. Cervical spinal cord injuries in patients with cervical spondylosis. AJR 1986; 146:277-284.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  22. Cintron E, Gilula LA, Murphy WA, Gehweiler JA. The widened disk space: a sign of cervical hyperextension injury. Radiology 1981; 141:639-644.[Free Full Text]
  23. Orrison WW, Jr, Benzd EC, Willis BK, Hart BL, Espinosa MC. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of acute spine trauma. Emerg Radiol 1995; 2:120-128.



This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care PainHome page
P. Harrison and C. Cairns
Clearing the cervical spine in the unconscious patient
CEACCP, August 1, 2008; 8(4): 117 - 120.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Neuroradiol.Home page
K. Shanmuganathan, R.P. Gullapalli, J. Zhuo, and S.E. Mirvis
Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging in Cervical Spine Trauma
AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., April 1, 2008; 29(4): 655 - 659.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BMJHome page
B. Wee, J. H Reynolds, and A. Bleetman
Imaging after trauma to the neck
BMJ, January 19, 2008; 336(7636): 154 - 157.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Neuroradiol.Home page
D. Goradia, K.F. Linnau, W.A. Cohen, S. Mirza, D.K. Hallam, and C.C. Blackmore
Correlation of MR Imaging Findings with Intraoperative Findings after Cervical Spine Trauma
AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., February 1, 2007; 28(2): 209 - 215.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
RadiologyHome page
G. J. Hogan, S. E. Mirvis, K. Shanmuganathan, and T. M. Scalea
Exclusion of Unstable Cervical Spine Injury in Obtunded Patients with Blunt Trauma: Is MR Imaging Needed when Multi-Detector Row CT Findings Are Normal?
Radiology, October 1, 2005; 237(1): 106 - 113.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
RadiologyHome page
C. W. Sliker, S. E. Mirvis, and K. Shanmuganathan
Assessing Cervical Spine Stability in Obtunded Blunt Trauma Patients: Review of Medical Literature
Radiology, March 1, 2005; 234(3): 733 - 739.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]