MR imaging in acute cervical spine trauma.

Fourteen patients with cervical spine injuries, 12 with resultant neurological deficits, were scanned with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging within 7 days following injury. Useful information concerning the status of the spinal canal and disks was obtained in most cases. In addition, MR was able to suggest the nature of the pathological changes within the spinal cord, as well as hemorrhage and edema in the extraspinal soft tissues. These observations indicate that following acute cervical spine trauma, MR is a valuable technique in assessing injury to the spinal cord, surrounding soft tissues, vertebra, and disks.