Impact of magnetic resonance imaging on decision making for thoracolumbar traumatic fracture diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION

The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently been enhanced in the diagnosis of thoracolumbar fractures due to its ability to examine soft tissue injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective study to analyze the usefulness of MRI in fracture diagnosis and its influence on treatment decision making. Thirty-three patients were enrolled after suffering an acute traumatic thoracolumbar fracture. Osteoporotic or pathologic fractures were excluded. Fractures were initially classified using X-ray and CT scan following the AO classification. Afterward, a selective MRI protocol was performed with T1 and T2-weighted FS/STIR sequences. Subsequently, fractures were classified according to the TLICS system and reclassified following the AO system. Analysis was performed before and after MRI, focusing on: diagnostic changes, occult fractures and differences in treatment decision making.

RESULTS

Thirty patients (15 males, 15 females) with an average age of 39.9 years were studied. Forty-one fractures were initially diagnosed using plain X-rays and CT scans, while MRI diagnosed 50 fractures and 9 vertebral contusions. MRI modified our diagnosis in 40% of our patients (discovering 18 occult injuries), the classification of fracture pattern in 24% of the fractures (mostly upgrading type A to type B patterns) and the therapeutic management in 16% of our patients.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI seems to be a useful tool in the evaluation of thoracolumbar acute fractures, as it allows a better visualization of the posterior complex integrity and of the levels involved, offering additional information compared to traditional diagnostic tools.