Early MRI finding in adult spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormalities does not correlate with the neurological outcome: a retrospective study

Utilizing multimodal radiomics technology from cervical MRI for diagnosis of cervical spinal cord injury and spinal cord concussion

The primary aim of this study is to assess the viability of employing multimodal radiomics techniques for distinguishing between cervical spinal cord injury and spinal cord concussion in cervical magnetic resonance imaging. This is a multicenter study involving 288 patients from a major medical center as the training group, and 75 patients from two other medical centers as the testing group. Data regarding the presence of spinal cord injury symptoms and their recovery status within 72 h were documented. These patients underwent sagittal T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging using cervical magnetic resonance imaging. Radiomics techniques are used to help diagnose whether these patients have cervical spinal cord injury or spinal cord concussion. 1197 radiomics features were extracted for each modality of each patient. The accuracy of T1 modal in testing group is 0.773, AUC is 0.799. The accuracy of T2 modal in testing group is 0.707, AUC is 0.813. The accuracy of T1 + T2 modal in testing group is 0.800, AUC is 0.840. Our research indicates that multimodal radiomics techniques utilizing cervical magnetic resonance imaging can effectively diagnose the presence of cervical spinal cord injury or spinal cord concussion.

Management of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury without Major Bone Injury in Adults

The incidence of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without major bone injury is increasing, possibly because older people typically have pre-existing cervical spinal canal stenosis. The demographics, neurological injury, treatment, and prognosis of this type of CSCI differ from those of CSCI with bone or central cord injury. Spine surgeons worldwide are debating on the optimal management of CSCI without major bone injury. Therefore, this narrative review aimed to address unresolved clinical questions related to CSCI without major bone injury and discuss treatment strategies based on current findings. The greatest divide among spine surgeons worldwide hinges on whether surgery is necessary for patients with CSCI without major bone injury. Certain studies have recommended early surgery within 24 h after injury; however, evidence regarding its superiority over conservative treatment remains limited. Delayed MRI may be beneficial; nevertheless, reliable factors and imaging findings that predict functional prognosis during the acute phase and ascertain the necessity of surgery should be identified to determine whether surgery/early surgery is better than conservative therapy/delayed surgery. Quality-of-life assessments, including neuropathic pain, spasticity, manual dexterity, and motor function, should be performed to examine the superiority of surgery/early surgery to conservative therapy/delayed surgery.

Case report: Traumatic hemorrhagic cervical myelopathy in a dog

A 1.5-year-old female entire French bulldog was referred for neurological evaluation, further diagnostic tests, and treatment 24 h after a road traffic accident. Initial emergency treatment, diagnostic tests, and stabilization had been performed by the referring veterinarian. Neurological examination revealed severe spastic non-ambulatory tetraparesis and was consistent with a C1-5 myelopathy. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed an irregular to elongated ovoid intramedullary lesion centered over the body of C2. The lesion showed marked signal heterogeneity with a central T2W and T2* hyperintense region, surrounded by a hypointense rim on both sequences. The lesion appeared heterogeneously T1W hypointense. The lesion was asymmetric (right-sided), affecting both white and gray matter. The C2-3 intervertebral disk appeared moderately degenerate with a Pfirrmann grade of 3. No evidence of vertebral fracture or luxation was found on radiographs or MRI of the vertebral column. Additional soft tissue abnormalities in the area of the right brachial plexus were suggestive of brachial plexus and muscle injury. A diagnosis of traumatic hemorrhagic myelopathy at the level of C2 and concurrent brachial plexus injury was formed. Conservative treatment was elected and consisted of physiotherapy, bladder care with an indwelling urinary catheter, repeated IV methadone based on pain scoring (0.2 mg/kg), oral meloxicam 0.1 mg/kg q24h, and oral gabapentin 10 mg/kg q8h. The dog was discharged after 4 days, with an indwelling urinary catheter and oral medication as described. The catheter was replaced two times by the referring veterinarian and finally removed after 10 days. Thereafter, voluntary urination was seen. During the 2 months after the road traffic accident, slow recovery of motor function was seen. The right thoracic limb recovery progressed more slowly than the left limb, also showing some lower motor neuron signs during follow-up. This was judged to be consistent with a right-sided brachial plexus injury. The dog was reported ambulatory with mild residual ataxia and residual monoparesis of the right thoracic limb at the last follow-up 3 months post-injury. This case report highlights the MRI-based diagnosis of traumatic hemorrhagic myelopathy in a dog. A fair short-term outcome was achieved with conservative treatment in this case.

Posterior spinal decompression in adults with spinal cord injury without traumatic compromise of the spinal canal: what is the data?

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can be caused by a variety of factors and its severity can range from a mild concussion to a complete severing of the spinal cord. Τreatment depends on the type and severity of injury, the patient's age and overall health. Reduction of dislocated or fractured vertebrae via closed manipulation or surgical procedures, fixation and removal of bony fragments and debris that compromise the spinal canal are indicated for decompression of the spinal cord and stabilization of the spine. However, when there is no obvious traumatic obstruction of spinal canal, the question arises as to whether laminectomy is needed to be performed to improve neurological outcome.

Methods

A literature review covering all indexed studies published between 2013 and 2023 was performed using keywords to identify the patient group of interest (spinal cord injury, SCI, spinal cord trauma, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, thoracolumbar),central cord syndrome (CCS) and the interventions (laminectomy, laminoplasty, decompression, duroplasty).

Results

This review includes6 observational studies investigating the outcome of posterior spinal decompression in patients suffering from spinal cord injury without traumatic spinal cord stenosis. Most patients already had degenerative stenosis. From a total of 202, 151 patients (74.7%) improved neurologically by at least one grade at ASIA scale, after being treated with either laminectomy, laminoplasty, duroplasty or a combination of these techniques.

Conclusion

Early decompression in SCI patients remains a reasonable practice option and can be performed safely, but no specific evidence supports the use of laminectomy alone. There is emerging evidence that intended durotomy followed by extended meningoplasty may improve the neurological outcome in patients suffering from SCI when meta-traumatic edema is apparent. However, the lack of high-quality evidence and results support the need for further research.

Quantifying Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of Methodology

Intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) after a traumatic injury has been associated with poor neurological outcomes. Although IPH may result from the initial mechanical trauma, the blood and its breakdown products have potentially deleterious effects. Further, the degree of IPH has been correlated with injury severity and the extent of subsequent recovery. Therefore, accurate evaluation and quantification of IPH following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is important to define treatments' effects on IPH progression and secondary neuronal injury. Imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US), have been explored by researchers for the detection and quantification of IPH following SCI. Both quantitative and semiquantitative MRI and US measurements have been applied to objectively assess IPH following SCI, but the optimal methods for doing so are not well established. Studies in animal SCI models (rodent and porcine) have explored US and histological techniques in evaluating SCI and have demonstrated the potential to detect and quantify IPH. Newer techniques using machine learning algorithms (such as convolutional neural networks [CNN]) have also been studied to calculate IPH volume and have yielded promising results. Despite long-standing recognition of the potential pathological significance of IPH within the spinal cord, quantifying IPH with MRI or US is a relatively new area of research. Further studies are warranted to investigate their potential use. Here, we review the different and emerging quantitative MRI, US, and histological approaches used to detect and quantify IPH following SCI.

Management and Mid-Term Outcome After "Real SCIWORA" in Children and Adolescents

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The SCIWORA Syndrome (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormalities) is a rare but potentially severe injury with a peak in childhood and adolescence. With a better understanding of injury patterns and advances in MRI, there is ongoing discussion regarding the "Real SCIWORA" syndrome, a clinical picture of neurologic deficits on clinical examination but absence of radiographic pathologies even on MRI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate mid-term clinical outcome and the psychological impact of the "Real SCIWORA."

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, we evaluated 32 patients treated for "Real SCIWORA" between 2007-2019. Inclusion criteria were: neurologic deficit after trauma, no other cerebral or skeletal injury and a lack of pathological findings in spinal MRI. All patients were followed until complete recovery from initial symptoms. 25/32 patients were re-evaluated after 6.9 years (1-14 years) using the Oswestry Disability Index, the Frankel Score, the EQ-5D score, and the Breslau Short Screening Scale for PTSD.

RESULTS

Initial neurologic presentation ranged from Frankel Grade A-D. All patients recovered neurologically during 1-13 days to a Frankel Grade E. The analysis of HR-QoL revealed no difference between the cohort of SCIWORA patients and the German population norm, Oswestry Disability Index showed only minimal disabilities. 4/25 patients showed signs of PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS

The "Real SCIWORA" syndrome is a diagnosis per exclusionem requiring a full spinal MRI to ensure exclusion of structural and potentially serious reasons of the neurologic impairment. Further clinical re-evaluation, psychological support seems to be essential.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV-retrospective study.

The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Inform Clinical Decision-Making in Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The clinical indications and added value of obtaining MRI in the acute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI) remain controversial. This review aims to critically evaluate evidence regarding the role of MRI to influence decision-making and outcomes in acute SCI. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed according to PRISMA methodology to identify studies that address six key questions (KQs) regarding diagnostic accuracy, frequency of abnormal findings, frequency of altered decision-making, optimal timing, and differences in outcomes related to obtaining an MRI in acute SCI. A total of 32 studies were identified that addressed one or more KQs. MRI showed no adverse events in 156 patients (five studies) and frequently identified cord compression (70%, 12 studies), disc herniation (43%, 16 studies), ligamentous injury (39%, 13 studies), and epidural hematoma (10%, two studies), with good diagnostic accuracy (seven comparative studies) except for fracture detection. MRI findings often altered management, including timing of surgery (78%, three studies), decision to operate (36%, 15 studies), and surgical approach (29%, nine studies). MRI may also be useful to determine the need for instrumentation (100%, one study), which levels to decompress (100%, one study), and if reoperation is needed (34%, two studies). The available literature consistently concluded that MRI was useful prior to surgical treatment (13 studies) and after surgery to assess decompression (two studies), but utility before/after closed reduction of cervical dislocations was unclear (three studies). One study showed improved outcomes with an MRI-based protocol but had a high risk of bias. Heterogeneity was high for most findings (I² > 0.75). MRI is safe and frequently identifies findings alter clinical management in acute SCI, although direct evidence of its impact on outcomes is lacking. MRI should be performed before and after surgery, when feasible, to facilitate improved clinical decision-making. However, further research is needed to determine its optimal timing, effect on outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and utility before and after closed reduction.

Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality: The Beijing Experience

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiology and clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) in mainland China for the first time.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

SCIWORA is a syndrome that often occurs in children mainly due to the unique biomechanics of the pediatric spine. Although there have been numerous retrospective studies on pediatric SCIWORA, and mainland China has more patients with SCI than anywhere else, pediatric patients with SCIWORA in mainland China has not been described in any study.

METHODS

Review of all cases with SCIWORA at Beijing Children's Hospital between July 2007 and December 2019.

RESULTS

Of the 189 pediatric patients with SCI 140 had SCIWORA (age: 5.65 ± 2.60 years, male-to-female ratio: 2:5). Main causes of injuries were sports (41%, mostly backbend), falls (27%), traffic accidents (10%), and violence (8%). Lesions were located at the thoracic (77%), cervical (10%), multiple (5%), and lumbar (4%) levels. Incubation period was 2 ± 6 hours. Pathological characteristics of SCI were detected in 96% patients by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Based on the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS), many patients had complete impairment (50% AIS A, 45% AIS B/C/D, 1% AIS E). Particularly, the five patients with normal MRI tended to have mild injury (AIS D) (P < 0.001), but they still showed abnormal reflex. In the one patient who could not be graded at all by AIS, his only functional deficits were abnormal upper and lower limb muscle tones. A total of 59% patients were treated with methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, or both. Out of 76 patients 59 showed neurological improvement before discharge. The only association among age, cause of injury, level of lesion, incubation period, AIS grade, type of corticosteroid therapy, and neurological improvement was between level of lesion and AIS grade (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Demographic and clinical differences exist in patients with SCIWORA. MRI and detailed neurological examinations should both be performed for proper diagnosis. There is still a need to develop better treatment strategy for these patients.Level of Evidence: 4.

Pediatric Cervical Spine Injuries and SCIWORA: WFNS Spine Committee Recommendations

Cervical trauma in children have variations from the adults mainly due to anatomic differences. An optimal diagnostic and treatment strategy is critical, particularly when there is a lack of standardized protocols for the management of such cases. This review paper examines the diagnostic and treatment options of pediatric cervical trauma and Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality (SCIWORA). A literature search for the last 10 years were conducted using key words. Case reports, experimental studies, papers other than English language were excluded. Up-to-date information on pediatric cervical trauma and SCIWORA were reviewed and statements were produced to reach a consensus in 2 separate consensus meeting of WFNS Spine Committee. The statements were voted and reached a consensus using Delphi method. This review reflects different aspects of contemporary pediatric cervical trauma decision-making and treatment, and SCIWORA. The mainstay of SCIWORA treatment is nonsurgical with immobilization, avoidance of risky activities. Prognosis generally depends on the initial neurological status and magnetic resonance imaging. Due to a significant discrepancy in the literature on diagnostic and management, future randomized controlled trials are needed to aid in generating standardized protocols.

The influence of timing of surgery in the outcome of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA)

Background

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) is a rare traumatic myelopathy. Although surgery is one of the most important treatments, the surgery for SCIWORA is controversial, especially the time of surgery is a topic of controversy. Here, we investigate the effects of difference in duration from injury to surgery on the outcome of SCIWORA.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed in all patients with spinal cord injury admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to April 2017. Fifty-seven patients who met the study requirements were divided into 3 groups according to the duration from injury to surgery. Group A (surgery within 3 days of injury) had 18 patients, group B (surgery within 3–7 days) had 18 patients, and group C (surgery later than 7 days) had 21 patients. All the groups were compared with Mann–Whitney U test; the functional improvement of spinal cord was compared and analyzed using the ASIA sports score and ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS).

Results

There was a significant improvement in the long-term AIS (final follow-up) in all the 3 groups compared to before surgery. The final follow-up recovery rate of group C was worse than group A and group B. The curative effect of operation within 7 days was significantly better than the surgery done 7 days later. The recovery rate of group C was worse than group A and B. The ASIA sports score showed that recovery was quicker in the early stage and slow in the later stage.

Conclusions

The optimal schedule of surgical treatment was 3–7 days after injury, which can significantly improve the short-term and long-term follow-up effects. Longer the time to surgery from the time of injury, the worse was the prognosis.

Prophylactic Riluzole Attenuates Oxidative Stress Damage in Spinal Cord Distraction

Spinal cord injury (SCI) without radiographical abnormalities (SCIWORA) presents a significant challenge because of the loss of function despite an apparent normal anatomy. The cause of dysfunction is not understood, and specific treatment options are lacking. Some scoliosis corrective surgeries result in SCIWORA, where stretching of the spinal cord can lead to vascular compromise and hypoxia. The iatrogenic nature of this injury allows for the implantation of neuroprotective strategies that are designed to prevent damage. We utilized a model of atraumatic SCI to evaluate the efficacy of the sodium-channel blocker, riluzole, as a prophylactic neuroprotectant. As expected, the stretch injury caused a significant reduction in intraparenchymal oxygen in distraction (-53.09 ± 22.23%) and riluzole pre-treated distraction animals (-43.04 ± 22.86%). However, in contrast to the oxidative stress and metabolic impairments observed in vehicle-treated distraction animals, in which protein carbonylation increased significantly (5.88 ± 1.3 nmol/mL), riluzole kept these levels within the normal range (1.8 ± 1.0 nmol/mL). This neurprotection also prevented ventral motor neuron hypoplasia and pyknosis, characteristic features of this atraumatic SCI model, and maintained normal gait function (e.g., stride length and stance time). This study provides evidence for the use of prophylactic neuroprotective strategies in which thoracic or spine surgeries present the risk of causing atraumatic SCI.

A geriatric patient with spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality: outcomes and causes

Introduction

Although the prognosis of spinal cord injury without radiographic evidence of abnormality (SCIWORA) depends on the severity of the initial neurological damage, most patients with American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale grade D are expected to recover fully.

Case presentation

An 85-year-old patient with SCIWORA and urinary incontinence, who did not produce the expected response to rehabilitation, displayed the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous system findings together. Conventional radiography, computed tomography, and even magnetic resonance imaging were unable to explain this complicated neurological condition thoroughly. More in-depth research into the patient's history revealed some sequelae left by urinary surgery and chemotherapy.

Discussion

Comorbidities in geriatric SCIWORA have severe effects on both etiology and prognosis. Furthermore, incontinence in SCIWORA is an essential condition that has not been addressed until now and may play a role in prognosis.

Posttraumatic Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality

“Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality” (SCIWORA) is a term that denotes objective clinical signs of posttraumatic spinal cord injury without evidence of fracture or malalignment on plain radiographs and computed tomography (CT) of the spine. SCIWORA is most commonly seen in children with a predilection for the cervical spinal cord due to the increased mobility of the cervical spine, the inherent ligamentous laxity, and the large head-to-body ratio during childhood. However, SCIWORA can also be seen in adults and, in rare cases, the thoracolumbar spinal cord can be affected too. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with SCIWORA because of its superior ability to identify soft tissue lesions such as cord edema, hematomas and transections, and discoligamentous injuries that may not be visualized in plain radiographs and CT. The mainstay of treatment in patients with SCIWORA is nonoperative management including steroid therapy, immobilization, and avoidance of activities that may increase the risk of exacerbation or recurrent injury. Although the role of operative treatment in SCIWORA can be controversial, surgical alternatives such as decompression and fusion should be considered in selected patients with clinical and MRI evidence of persistent spinal cord compression and instability.

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) in adults: MRI type predicts early neurologic outcome

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to analyse the clinical and neuroimaging features of a consecutive series of adult patients with spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) receiving early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to apply the recently proposed MRI classification system.

METHODS

Grade of neurologic impairment at admission and discharge was reported according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS). A detailed analysis and categorisation of the extra- and intramedullary MRI findings was performed, and the relationship between imaging type and neurological outcome was described.

RESULTS

Twenty-six adult patients (17 male and 9 female) with SCIWORA were identified (mean age of 52 years). The distribution of the initial AIS grade was 8% A (n=2), 19% B (n=5), 31% C (n=8) and 42% D (n=11) at admission and 15% (n=4) C, 58% (n=15) D and 27% (n=7) E at discharge, respectively. Type I SCIWORA was found in 23% (n=6) and type II in 77% (n=20) (IIa: 0%, IIb: 25%, IIc: 75%). The mean improvement of AIS grade in patients with type I lesions was 1.5 (median 1, range 1-3) and 0.9 (median 1, range 0-3) in type II.

CONCLUSION

The findings underline the prognostic role of early MRI for adult patients with SCIWORA and support the use of the recently introduced MRI classification system.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic study, level III.