Imaging of Spine Trauma

Abstract

Imaging with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is fundamental to the evaluation of traumatic spinal injury. Specifically, neuroradiologic techniques show the exact location of injury, evaluate the stability of the spine, and determine neural element compromise. This review focuses on the complementary role of different radiologic modalities in the diagnosis of patients with traumatic injuries of the spine. The role of imaging in spinal trauma classifications will be addressed. The importance of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of soft tissue injury, particularly of the spinal cord, will be discussed. Last, the increasing role of advanced imaging techniques for prognostication of the traumatic spine will be explored. ABBREVIATIONS: ADC, apparent diffusion coefficient ALL, anterior longitudinal ligament AS, ankylosing spondylitis ASIA, American Spine Injury Association CTA, computed tomography angiography CVJ, craniovertebral junction DISH, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis DTI, diffusion tensor imaging FA, fractional anisotropy MDCT, multidetector computed tomography MRA, magnetic resonance angiography SCI, spinal cord injury STIR, short tau inversion recovery VAI, vertebral artery injury.