Abstract
The present study is an attempt to determine the prognostic capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in the acute phase. The overall management of SCI patients is a prime consideration, and special precautions are required when the patient has respiratory distress. Twelve patients with a complete cervical injury accompanied by respiratory distress were examined by MRI, and a correlation of the MRI findings and the respiratory problems were investigated. In three cases with severe respiratory distress, the SCI was present above the C4-5 level, and MRI showed a high signal intensity at the upper C3. The severity of the respiratory failure was well correlated with the upper margin of the high signal intensity on T2-weighted images.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Kadoya S, Nakamura T, Kobayashi S, Yamamoto I (1987) Magnetic resonance imaging of acute spinal cord injury. Neuroradiology 29: 252–255.
Mirvis S E, Geisler F H, Jelinek J J, Joslyn J N, Gellad F (1988) Acute cervical spine trauma: Evaluation with 1.5 MR imaging. Radiology 166: 807–816.
Quencer R M, Sheldon J J, Donovan Post M J, Diaza R D, Montalvo B M, Green B A et al (1986): MRI of the chronically injured cervical spinal cord. AJR 147: 125–132.
Yamamoto H, Nakagawa H, Iwata K, Yuasa H, Okumura T, Hoshino D (1989) Usefulness of MRI in spinal injuries. Neurotraumatology (Tokyo) 12: 76–81.
Yamamoto H, Nakagawa H, Iwata K (1992) Magnetic resonance imaging of acute spinal cord injury. Progress in CI 14(2): 155–160.
Frankel H L, Hancock D O, Hyslop G, Melzak J, Melzak J, Michaelis L S, et al 1969 The value of postural reduction in the initial management of closed injuries of the spine with paraplegia and tetraplegia. Paraplegia 7: 179–192.
Chakeres D W, Flickinger F, Bresnahan J C, Beattie M S, Weiss K L, Miller C et al 1987 MR imaging of acute spinal cord trauma. AJNR 8: 5–10.
Schouman-Claeys E, Frija G, Cuenod C A, Begon D, Paraire F, Martin V (1990) MR imaging of acute spinal cord injury: Result of an experimental study in dogs. AJNR 11: 959–965.
Kulkarni M V, Mcardie C B, Kopanickey D, Miner M, Coder H B, Lee K F et al 1987 Acute spinal cord injury: MR imaging at 1.5T. Radiology 164: 837–843.
Bondurant F J, Cotler H B, Kulkarni M V, McArdle C B, Harris J H (1990) Acute spinal cord injury; A study using physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging. Spine 15: 161–168.
Kulkarni M V, Bondurant F J, Rose S L, Narayana P A (1988) 1.5 tesla magnetic resonance imaging of acute spinal cord trauma. Radiographics 8: 1059–1082.
Hackney D B, Asato R, Joseph P M, Carvlin M J, McGrath J T, Grossman R I et al 1986 Hemorrhage and edema in acute spinal cord compression: Demonstration by MR imaging. Radiology 161: 387–390.
Weirich S D, Cotler H B, Narayana P A, Hazle J D, Jackson E F, Coupe K J et al 1990 Histopathological correlation of magnetic resonance imaging signal patterns in a spinal cord injury model. Spine 15: 630–638.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yamamoto, H., Nakagawa, H. & Iwata, K. MRI findings in spinal cord injury patients who have respiratory distress. Spinal Cord 32, 323–329 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1994.55
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1994.55
