Aims and objectives:To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-invasive diagnostic tool in patients with acute and chronic spinal trauma and to compare and correlate the MRI findings with those of patients’ clinical profile and neurological outcome according to ASIA impairment scale to assess prognostic and clinical value of MRI.Materials and Methods:Sixty two patients of spinal trauma formed the study group in a prospective fashion. The patients undergoing MR imaging and magnetic resonance images were analyzed and correlated with findings on neurological examination according to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale (AIS) at the time of MRI examination and subsequently at sub-acute interval to assess neurological outcome.Statistical Analysis:Sample profile was described in terms of 95% confidence limit and proportion. To describe strength of association between extent of spinal cord injury and outcome, odd's ratio, bivariate and multi variant analysis, was used. Pearson's chi square (χ) 2 statistics was applied to test the association between two categorical variables. Data were analyzed using statistical software package, STATA 9.2 and the difference was considered to be significant if ‘P’ value was <0.05.Observation and Results:The cord edema without hemorrhage was the most common MR finding (41.5%). The others were sizable focus of hemorrhage within the cord (33%), epidural hematoma (5.0%), and normal cord (26%). Majority of MR findings correlated well with clinical profile of the patient according to ASIA impairment scale. This study demonstrated that patients with presence of sizable focus of haemorrhage had larger cord edema and more severe grade of initial ASIA impairment scale( AIS) with poor recovery at follow up (P=0.032).Improvement in upper extremity was more than lower extremity. Severe cord compression was also associated with poor neurological outcome; however it was not statistically significant (P=0.149).Conclusions:With this study the authors concluded that various MRI findings in acute spinal cord injury correlated well with the initial clinical findings and on follow-up according to ASIA impairment scale. MRI is useful for initial diagnosis of acute spinal cord injury and its prognostication for predicting neurological recovery.

Fetus-in-fetu (FIF) is a rare anomaly in which a vertebrate fetus is enclosed within the body of its twin in diamniotic monochorionic pregnancy. To the best of our knowledge, fewer than 100 cases have been reported in literature. Although a wide variety of presentations have been described in clinical reports, the characteristic features on MRI which distinguish FIF from teratoma have not been well delineated. Here we present a case of fetus-in-fetu in which characteristic MDCT and MR findings were used to diagnose FIF preoperatively and successfully differentiate it from teratoma. Although both CT and MRI can be used for definitive preoperative diagnosis of FIF, MRI is an ideal imaging modality due to inherent high tissue contrast and spatial resolution. Furthermore, MRI obviates the need for iodine contrast and eliminates the risk of ionizing radiation. We emphasize that MRI is an ideal valuable diagnostic tool for definite preoperative diagnosis of FIF and surgical planning.

Congenital urethral duplication is a rare anomaly, with less than 200 cases described in the literature. The investigations that are usually performed are micturating cystourethrography (MCU) and retrograde urethrography (RGU), which can diagnose the presence of duplication but cannot diagnose the precise relationship of the duplicated urethra with other pelvic structures. MRI, because of the excellent tissue contrast that it provides and its multiplanar ability, can demonstrate with precision, the size, shape and position of the two urethras. We describe below a case where MRI was able to show this exquisitely.

Background and Objectives Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with increased perinatal mortality and morbidity, possibly extending also in adult life, as compared to fetuses and newborns presenting characteristics of normal growth. The present study had been planned to measure the pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index of the middle cerebral artery with pulsatility and resistive index of the umbilical artery in predicting fetal growth restriction. Materials and Methods A total of 60 pregnant women with a clinical history and grayscale-screened patients were taken for Doppler analysis, and a final comparison of accuracy of Doppler indices was done with perinatal outcome. Statistical Analysis The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 15.0 statistical analysis software. The values were represented in number (%) and mean ± SD. Observation and Results The umbilical artery PI had maximum sensitivity at the third visit (32-37 weeks) and maximum specificity also at the third visit (32-37 weeks). The umbilical artery resistive index had maximum sensitivity at the second visit (28-32 weeks) and maximum specificity at the third visit (32-37 weeks). The MCA PI had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 52.8 %. Conclusion The PI of the umbilical artery was more sensitive than the PI of the middle cerebral artery. Umbilical artery PI has the maximum overall diagnostic accuracy of 75 %.

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa (MDL) is a rare cause of congenital macrodactyly, characterised by progressive proliferation of all mesenchymal elements, with disproportionate increase in fibro-adipose tissue. It occurs most frequently in lower limbs along the distribution of the medial plantar nerve. MDL presents as localised gigantism of the hand or foot and comes to clinical attention for cosmetic reasons, mechanical problems secondary to degenerative joint disease, or development of neurovascular compression. Here, we report a case of MDL, with altered soft tissue growth due to an earlier surgery, making clinical diagnosis difficult. However, with a complete radio-clinical work-up and review of the history, a provisional diagnosis of MDL was made, which was confirmed by histopathology and during surgery.