TY - JOUR
T1 - Traumatic myelopathy
T2 - Current concepts in imaging
AU - De Smet, Eline
AU - Vanhoenacker, Filip M.
AU - Parizel, Paul M.
PY - 2014/1/1
Y1 - 2014/1/1
N2 - Traumatic myelopathy is a frequent complication after spinal trauma. The prognosis is often very poor, and the condition has important socioeconomic consequences. Knowledge of the epidemiology and imaging features is mandatory to ensure correct diagnosis and timely intervention. Imaging studies play an increasing role in the diagnosis and follow-up of this condition. Computed tomography remains the first-line investigation whenever spinal cord injury is suspected. It may indicate the presence of spinal cord lesions by visualizing vertebral lesions, but it cannot assess the spinal cord itself. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict possible spinal cord edema, hemorrhage, or transection, and it is essential in diagnosing and predicting the outcome of spinal cord injury. Follow-up should also be performed with MRI to evaluate long-term intramedullary changes. Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging are promising new techniques that allow very early detection of spinal cord injury by measuring the diffusion within the spinal cord, thereby providing information on white matter integrity. However, technical limitations of these new techniques prompt further investigation to improve specificity.
AB - Traumatic myelopathy is a frequent complication after spinal trauma. The prognosis is often very poor, and the condition has important socioeconomic consequences. Knowledge of the epidemiology and imaging features is mandatory to ensure correct diagnosis and timely intervention. Imaging studies play an increasing role in the diagnosis and follow-up of this condition. Computed tomography remains the first-line investigation whenever spinal cord injury is suspected. It may indicate the presence of spinal cord lesions by visualizing vertebral lesions, but it cannot assess the spinal cord itself. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict possible spinal cord edema, hemorrhage, or transection, and it is essential in diagnosing and predicting the outcome of spinal cord injury. Follow-up should also be performed with MRI to evaluate long-term intramedullary changes. Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging are promising new techniques that allow very early detection of spinal cord injury by measuring the diffusion within the spinal cord, thereby providing information on white matter integrity. However, technical limitations of these new techniques prompt further investigation to improve specificity.
KW - computed tomography
KW - magnetic resonance imaging
KW - radiography
KW - spine
KW - traumatic myelopathy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901975863&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1055/s-0034-1375573
DO - 10.1055/s-0034-1375573
M3 - Article
C2 - 24896747
AN - SCOPUS:84901975863
VL - 18
SP - 318
EP - 331
JO - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology
JF - Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology
SN - 1098-898X
IS - 3
ER -