Prognostic Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Variables Combined with Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Cervical Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the prognostic significance of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) variables and novel inflammatory indicators in predicting neurological recovery post-cervical traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in the study.

METHODS

We enrolled a total of 244 patients diagnosed with acute cervical TSCI from 2 hospitals and evaluated the prognostic value of MRI variables (intramedullary hemorrhage, intramedullary lesion length [IMLL], maximum spinal cord compression, and maximum canal compromise [MCC]) and novel inflammatory indicators (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and systemic immune-inflammatory index) in patients with acute cervical TSCI.

RESULTS

Among the 244 patients, 140 (57.38%) exhibited improved AIS grade conversion at 1-year follow-up. The results revealed intramedullary hemorrhage, IMLL, MCC, neutrophils, and NLR were significantly different compared with follow-up AIS grade. Furthermore, IMLL, MCC, white blood cells, neutrophils, NLR, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio correlated with the follow-up AIS grade by Spearman's correlation analysis. Multivariate analysis showed IMLL, intramedullary hemorrhage, NLR, and admission AIS grade emerged as independent predictors of AIS grade conversion. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the novel model (combination of MRI variables, NLR, and admission AIS grade) produced a larger area under the curve compared with using only intramedullary hemorrhage, IMLL, NLR, or admission AIS grade individually.

CONCLUSION

Intramedullary hemorrhage and IMLL and NLR are predictors of AIS grade conversion after cervical TSCI. Therefore, we suggest the combination of MRI variables and NLR for the prognostic prediction of AIS grade conversion in patients with cervical TSCI.