Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) in adults: MRI type predicts early neurologic outcome

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to analyse the clinical and neuroimaging features of a consecutive series of adult patients with spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) receiving early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to apply the recently proposed MRI classification system. Methods: Grade of neurologic impairment at admission and discharge was reported according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). A detailed analysis and categorisation of the extra- and intramedullary MRI findings was performed, and the relationship between imaging type and neurological outcome was described. Results: Twenty-six adult patients (17 male and 9 female) with SCIWORA were identified (mean age of 52 years). The distribution of the initial AIS grade was 8% A (n=2), 19% B (n=5), 31% C (n=8) and 42% D (n=11) at admission and 15% (n=4) C, 58% (n=15) D and 27% (n=7) E at discharge, respectively. Type I SCIWORA was found in 23% (n=6) and type II in 77% (n=20) (IIa: 0%, IIb: 25%, IIc: 75%). The mean improvement of AIS grade in patients with type I lesions was 1.5 (median 1, range 1-3) and 0.9 (median 1, range 0-3) in type II. Conclusion: The findings underline the prognostic role of early MRI for adult patients with SCIWORA and support the use of the recently introduced MRI classification system.Level of evidence:Prognostic study, level III.