Imaging of Acute Spinal Cord Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Key Points 1.A systematic approach to evaluate imaging of the bony spine is presented. 2.Metrics of spinal instability are provided.3. The use of MRI to detect ligament damage is reviewed. 4.The interpretation of MRI signal changes within the damaged spinal cord is outlined, along with measurements used to quantify compression of the spinal cord. 5.Future trends in imaging of the damaged spinal cord are discussed.