M. Dobran, D. Aiudi, V. Liverotti, M. R. Fasinella, S. Lattanzi, C. Melchiorri, A. Iacoangeli, S. Campa, G. Polonara


May 2023, Volume 32, Issue 5, pp 1584 - 1590 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-023-07560-4

First Online: 08 March 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to estimate the prognostic value of some features documented on preoperative MRI study in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury.

Methods

The study was conducted in patients operated for cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) from April 2014 to October 2020.

The quantitative analysis on preoperative MRI scans included: length of the spinal cord intramedullary lesion (IMLL the canal diameter at the level of maximal spinal cord compression (MSCC) and the presence of intramedullary hemorrhage. The canal diameter at the MSCC was measured on the middle sagittal FSE-T2W images at the maximum level of injury.

The America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score was used for neurological assessment at hospital admission. At 12-month follow-up all patients were examined with the SCIM questionnaire.

Results

At linear regression analysis, the length of the spinal cord lesion [β coefficient −10.35, 95% confidence interval (CI)−13.71 to−6.99; p 

Conclusion

According to the findings of our study, the spinal length lesion, canal diameter at the level of spinal cord compression and intramedullary hematoma documented by the preoperative MRI study were associated with the prognosis of patients with cSCI.


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