Diagnostic capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography in acute cervical spinal column injury

The present study was conducted to evaluate the imaging capabilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating acute cervical spinal column injury and compare these results to that of computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Forty-nine patients undergoing MRI at a Level I and regional spinal cord trauma center to evaluate cervical spinal column injury were studied. Seventy-one injuries were identified by MRI. These injuries were classified as osseous (fracture/dislocation) (n = 21), disc herniation (n = 29), and spinal cord injury (edema/contusion/transection) (n = 21). Diagnostic imaging results in 33 of the 49 patients undergoing both MRI and CT were compared. CT demonstrated 22 fracture/dislocations compared to 10 on MRI. MRI demonstrated 19 disc protrusions compared to 7 on CT. Additionally, MR imaged 13 cord injuries as compared to 0 by CT. MR imaging proved superior in demonstrating spinal cord pathology and intervertebral disc herniation. CT was superior to MRI in demonstrating osseous injury. CT and MRI may be useful together in determining presence and extent of spinal column injury.     

MR imaging of brachial plexus

The brachial plexus is a complex anatomic component originating from ventral rami of the lower cervical nerve roots from C5 to C8 and upper thoracic spinal nerve roots from T1, providing sensory and motor innervation to the upper extremities. As it is inaccessible to palpation, clinical evaluation of the brachial plexus is very challenging and localizing lesions along its course is very difficult. The gamut of pathologic conditions involving the brachial plexus includes primary tumor, direct extension of adjacent tumor, metastasis, trauma, or an inflammatory condition. MR imaging provides superior diagnostic ability due to its ability of multiplanar imaging and greater soft tissue contrast.This article discusses MR imaging findings in a variety of pathologic conditions, with special emphasis on neoplastic process.     

Gd-DTPA增强扫描对脊髓型颈椎病的诊断及手术可行性临床研究

目的;探讨Gd-DTPA增强扫描对脊髓型颈椎病的临床价值。方法;对56例脊髓型颈椎病患者,进行MRI平扫及Gd-DTPA增强扫描。将手术后神经功能改善与MRI平扫及增强改变进行分析。结果：MRI平扫脊髓信号为Ⅰ型12例,Ⅱ型24型,Ⅲ型20例,增强为A类38例,B类7例,C类11例,手术治疗显效Ⅰ型／A类10例,Ⅱ型／A类6例,Ⅲ型／B类2例。结论：Gd-DTPA增强扫描可进一步对脊髓受损部位、血供及血管通透性改变进行评价。     

MR imaging of spinal cord vascular malformations with an emphasis on the cervical spine

Spinal vascular malformations (AVMs) are rare but important causes of treatable myelopathies. Recent advances in interventional neuroradiolgy and neurosurgical techniques have improved the delineation and classifcation of these heterogeneous lesions. Because MR imaging usually is the first screening test for patients with myelopathy, the neuroradiologist must have a high level of knowledge of the common imaging characteristics of these lesions. This article reviews MR angiographic literature about spinal AVMs, reviews Type I-IV AVMs and cervical Type I AVMs, and describes their pathophysiology and common imaging characteristics, and elaborates on differences in cervical location from more typical positions.     

磁共振选择性水激励脂肪抑制技术（MR-PROSET）在脊神经检查中的临床应用研究

目的探索选择性水激励脂肪抑制技术（MR-Proset）在临床检查和对外科手术的指导意义。方法采用PHILIPS公司生产的1．5T-Intrea磁共振机的选择性水激励脂肪抑制技术（MR-PROSET）序列在胸、腰、骶部各种疾病中的检查。查阅近年来采用此技术检查的56例。其中男37例：20—30岁11例；31～40岁19例；41—60岁9例。女19例：20～30岁4例；31-40岁12例；41—60例3例。结果此技术对腰椎间盘．脊髓、脊神经根以及相邻关系显示良好。结论选择性水激励脂肪抑制技术（MR-Proset）使病变显示清楚，诊断明确，手术明了。     

MR imaging of arthritides of the cervical spine

Indications for MR imaging have broadened with the development of multiplanar capability, superb soft tissue contrast, and high sensitivity for detecting pathologic alterations. These developments are especially valuable in the analysis of the spine, where multiple anatomic structures reside, each with varying physical properties. MR imaging is unsurpassed in demonstrating early structural and proliferative changes that occur in inflammatory and related arthritides, and in evaluating complications that can cause significant morbidity, and even death. The role of MR imaging in the evaluation of cervical spinal arthritis continues to evolve, as its role in identifying patients for surgical intervention becomes clearer.     

神经根型颈椎病MRI检查方法探讨

【目的】研究神经根型颈椎病的MRI成像方法。【方法】临床综合确诊的神经根型颈椎病60例,常规矢状面及横断面像检查完后加做双侧颈椎斜矢状面T2WI。评价颈椎斜矢状面像的诊断价值。【结果】21例（35％）颈椎斜矢状面像能提供更多的有用诊断信息。【结论】部分神经根型颈椎病除行常规矢状面与横断面成像外,应加做斜矢状面像。     

磁共振扩散张量成像对脊髓型颈椎病脊髓慢性损伤的评价

目的 评价磁共振扩散张量成像（DTI）对脊髓型颈椎病脊髓慢性损伤早期诊断的可行性。方法 采用单次激发平面回波成像（SE-EPI）序列对31例临床确诊的脊髓型颈椎病患者行颈髓常规MRI和DTI检查。测量病变处ADC值和FA值并按病变常规T2WI高信号阳性与阴性分组进行数据分析,计算常规MRI和DTI对颈髓病变检出的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值（PPV）、阴性预测值（NPV）。结果所有脊髓型颈椎病患者均能完成DTI检查,后处理图像颈髓显示清晰,无明显图像变形及伪影。9例（29%）表现为颈髓病变T2WI高信号的患者均出现颈髓受压平面ADC值升高,FA值下降,平均ADC值为（1183.44±121.96）×10-6mm2/s,相应FA值为（432.56±59.97）×10-3,与正常值相比有统计学意义;22例（71%）颈髓病变T2WI高信号阴性患者中,7例（32%）病变处平均ADC值及FA较正常值无明显变化;15例（68%）颈髓受压平面ADC值升高,FA值下降,平均ADC值（1055.07±80.61）×10-6mm2/s,FA值为（501.87±41.09）×10-3,有统计学意义。检查方法的敏感度常规T2WI为29.0%,DTI为67.7%;特异度常规T2WI为71.0%,DTI为22.6%;PPV常规T2WI为27.3%,DTI为72.7%;NPV常规T2WI为75.9%,DTI为24.1%。结论 DTI较常规MRI更早期而准确地诊断脊髓型颈椎病颈髓慢性损伤,是一种显示脊髓型颈椎病颈髓病变和观察病变修复过程的有效手段。     

Technical challenges in MR imaging of the cervical spine and cord

In this article, the basic principles of image quality pertaining to cervical spine imaging and the impact of technical advancements on image quality are reviewed. The role of new MR pulse sequences and new applications of older sequences in evaluating abnormalities of the spinal cord, disks, joints, and bones of the cervical spine are discussed.     

Evaluation and management of acute cervical spine trauma

The evaluation and management of cervical spine injuries is a core component of the practice of emergency medicine. This article focuses on evaluation and management of blunt cervical spine trauma by the emergency physician. Pertinent anatomy of the cervical spine and specific cervical spine fractures are discussed, with an emphasis on unstable injuries and associated spinal cord pathology. The association of vertebral artery injury with cervical spine fracture is addressed, followed by a review of the most recent literature on prehospital care. Initial considerations in the emergency department, including cervical spine stabilization and airway management, are reviewed. The most current recommendations for cervical spine imaging with regard to indications and modalities are covered. Finally, emergency department management and disposition of patients with spinal cord injuries are reviewed.     

脊髓空洞的MRI诊断与鉴别诊断

目的分析18例各种原因所致脊髓空洞的MRI表现及鉴别诊断。方法18例脊髓空洞病例，全部病例经手术或治疗随访证实。MRI重点观察脊髓及其空洞的形态和信号特征。结果18例脊髓空洞中，脊髓肿瘤性空洞7例、Chiari畸形所致5例、创伤后空洞4例、自发性脊髓空洞2例；空洞累及颈或胸髓，空洞均位于脊髓中央管，范围从2～13个脊髓节段不等，空洞内信号变化同脑脊液。但不同原因的空洞又有各自不同的合并症或特点。结论脊髓空洞主要由于脊髓肿瘤、Chiari畸形、创伤、自发性脊髓空洞等引起，不同病因空洞的MRI表现各不相同，据此可进行鉴别诊断。     

Orientation entropy analysis of diffusion tensor in healthy and myelopathic spinal cord

The majority of nerve fibers in the spinal cord run longitudinally, playing an important role in connecting the brain to the peripheral nerves. There is a growing interest in applying diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to the evaluation of spinal cord microarchitecture. The current study sought to compare the organization of longitudinal nerve fibers between healthy and myelopathic spinal cords using entropy-based analysis of principal eigenvector mapping. A total of 22 subjects were recruited, including 14 healthy subjects, seven cervical myelopathy (CM) patients with single-level compression, and one patient suffering from multi-level compression. Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance (MR) images of the cervical spinal cord were obtained using a pulsed gradient, spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) sequence with a 3T MR system. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn manually to cover the spinal cord, and Shannon entropy was calculated in principal eigenvector maps. The results revealed no significant differences in orientation entropy values along the whole length of cervical spinal cord in healthy subjects (C2-3: 0.73±0.05; C3-4: 0.71±0.07; C4-5: 0.72±0.048; C5-6: 0.71±0.07; C6-7: 0.72±0.07). In contrast, orientation entropy values in myelopathic cord were significantly higher at the compression site (0.91±0.03), and the adjacent levels (above: 0.85±0.03; below: 0.83±0.05). This study provides a novel approach to analyze the orientation information in diffusion MR images of healthy and diseased spinal cord. These results indicate that orientation entropy can be applied to determine the contribution of each compression level to the overall disorganization of principal nerve tracts of myelopathic spinal cord in cases with multi-level compression.     

颈椎病脊髓变性期的MRI诊断(附41例报告)

目的：了解脊髓变性期颈椎病的ＭＲＩ表现。方法：研究分析４１例脊髓变性期颈椎病患者的ＭＲＩ图像及临床资料。结果：４１例患者的ＭＲＩ主要表现为椎间盘变性、膨出、脱出、黄韧带肥厚、椎体后缘骨刺形成、后纵韧带钙化、椎体滑脱及脊髓受压、水肿、软化、囊变、出血。结论：ＭＲＩ扫描可为脊髓变性期颈椎病提供可靠的影像学根据，对该期颈椎病的诊断和治疗有重要意义     

Risks associated with magnetic resonance imaging and cervical collar in comatose,blunt trauma patients with negative comprehensive cervical spine computed tomography and no apparent spinal deficit

Introduction  

In blunt trauma, comatose patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 to 8) with a negative comprehensive cervical spine (CS) computed tomography assessment and no apparent spinal deficit, CS clearance strategies (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and prolonged cervical collar use) are controversial.     

Missed cervical spine fracture-dislocations: the importance of clinical and radiographic assessment

OBJECTIVE: To review the case of a patient who suffered a cervical spine fracture-dislocation missed at a hospital emergency department. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 77-year-old man involved in a motor vehicle accident was transported to a local emergency hospital where cervical spine x-ray films taken were reported as demonstrating no evidence of acute injury. The patient visited a chiropractic clinic 6 days later, where x-ray films were again obtained, finding that the patient sustained fractures of C5 and C6, as well as a bilateral facet dislocation at C5/C6. Computed tomography confirmed the fractures, and magnetic resonance imaging findings demonstrated cervical spinal cord compression and posterior spinal cord displacement. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was referred for preoperative medical evaluation. He underwent C5-6 closed reduction and anterior/posterior fusion surgery and was released without complication. Patient follow-up indicated full recovery with minimal neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Cervical spine fracture-dislocations are often missed during standard radiographic examinations in emergency department settings. Chiropractors are encouraged to perform a comprehensive evaluation of patients presenting with cervical trauma even if they have had prior x-ray films reported as normal. Standard x-ray films taken at emergency department facilities are not entirely reliable for detecting or revealing cervical spine fracture-dislocations. This case stresses the importance of careful clinical assessment and imaging procedures on patients who have encountered cervical spine trauma.     

Outcome of Trauma Patients Immobilized by Emergency Department Staff,but Not by Emergency Medical Services Providers: A Quality Assurance Initiative

Abstract

Background. Prehospital selective cervical spine immobilization (CSI) is a relatively new concept. In our emergency medical services (EMS) system, protocols for selective CSI are widely used; yet, some patients who are brought to the hospital without CSI undergo secondary immobilization and cervical spine imaging in the emergency department (ED). Immobilization in the ED, after a decision not to immobilize by EMS, suggests that either the prehospital assessment is not trusted or the patient has developed new symptoms over time. We undertook a quality assurance initiative to evaluate whether trauma patients brought to the ED without CSI, who then underwent secondary CSI and imaging in the ED, had injuries that were initially missed by EMS selective CSI protocol. Methods. This was a 36-month retrospective data analysis of blunt trauma patients transported directly from the field to the University of New Mexico Hospital level I trauma center by Albuquerque Ambulance Service (AAS) between March 2009 and February 2012. Inclusion criteria were age 18 years and older, transported by AAS without CSI, and cervical spinal imaging done in the ED. Patients were excluded if they were being transported between facilities, were prisoners, and/or refused CSI. A positive finding was defined as any acute abnormality identified by the attending radiologist on the final imaging report. Results. The study included 101 patients who met inclusion criteria. There were no significant missed injuries. Ninety-four of the 101 patients received cervical spinal CT imaging at an estimated cost of $1,570 per scan, not including physician charges. The remaining patients had plain film radiographic imaging. No patients had magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions. In this retrospective quality assurance initiative, none of 101 patients who underwent secondary CSI and imaging in the ED had a missed acute cervical injury. No patients had any adverse effects or required treatment, yet these patients incurred substantial costs and increased radiation exposure. While our results suggest hospital personnel should have confidence in prehospital decisions regarding CSI, continued surveillance and a large-scale, prospective study are needed to confirm our findings.     

Entropy-based analysis for diffusion anisotropy mapping of healthy and myelopathic spinal cord

The present study utilized diffusion MR imaging and fractional anisotropy (FA) mapping to delineate the microstructure of spinal cord. The concept of Shannon entropy was introduced to analyze the complex microstructure of healthy and injured spinal cords based on FA map. A total of 30 volunteers were recruited in this study with informed consent, including 13 healthy adult subjects (group A, 25±3 years), 12 healthy elderly subjects (group B, 53±7 years) and 5 cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients (group C, 53±15 years). Diffusion MRI images of cervical spinal cord were taken using pulsed gradient spin-echo-echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) sequence with a 3T MR system. The region of interest was defined to cover the spinal cord in FA maps. The Shannon entropy of FA values of voxels in the cord was calculated as well as the average FA values. The significant differences were determined among three groups using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc test. As compared with adult and elderly healthy subjects, the entropy of whole spinal cord was significantly lower in CSM patients (group A: 6.07±0.18; B: 6.01±0.23; C: 5.32±0.44; p<0.05). Whereas there were no significant difference in FA values among groups (group A: 0.62±0.08; B: 0.64±0.09; C: 0.64±0.12). In CSM patients, there was a loss of architectural structural complexity in the cervical spinal cord tissue as noted by the lower Shannon entropy value. It indicated the potential application of entropy-based analysis for the diagnosis of the severity of chronic compressive spinal cord injuries, i.e. CSM.     

Normal spinal anatomy on magnetic resonance imaging

Over the past few decades, spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MR imaging) has largely replaced computed tomography (CT) and CT myelography in the assessment of intraspinal pathology at institutions where MR imaging is available. Given its high contrast resolution, MR imaging allows the differentiation of the several adjacent structures comprising the spine. This article illustrates normal spinal anatomy as defined by MR imaging, describes commonly used spinal MR imaging protocols, and discusses associated common artifacts.     

MR imaging of the spinal bone marrow

Adequate interpretation of a cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine MR imaging examination includes a careful evaluation of the bone marrow. Detecting an abnormality in bone marrow may cause a diagnostic dilemma because the marrow in the spine can vary in appearance according to the patient's age, and can be affected by infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, and neoplastic processes. Its appearance can be affected as well by underlying degenerative disc disease, trauma, and numerous iatrogenic therapies, including vertebroplasty, radiation therapy, and medications. In addition to conventional MR imaging sequences, newer imaging techniques, such as diffusion weighting and opposedphase sequences, are being studied to help increase the diagnostic accuracy of spine and bone marrow evaluation and to help differentiate benign from malignant and infectious processes.     

评估MR多模态成像在鉴别不确定的脊柱骨质病变良恶性中的作用

目的:探究在鉴别不确定的脊柱骨质病变良恶性中MR多模态成像的作用.方法:研究对象是38例脊柱骨质病变患者,入院时间在2019年12月-2021年3月,均进行MR检查,对诊断结果作分析.结果:常规MR诊断准确率为81.58％,低于多模态成像诊断的100％,统计学意义成立(P＜0.05).多模态成像诊断病变部位,10.53...