LIGAMENTOUS INTEGRITY IN SPINAL CORD INJURY WITHOUT RADIOGRAPHIC ABNORMALITY

Purpose of study:The question of prolonged bracing following injury in patients diagnosed with SCIWORA remains controversial. Proponents of the ‘Segmental Spinal Instability’ hypothesis claim that there is occult ligamentous injury leading to instability and a risk of recurrent injury. Published reports of recurrent SCIWORA involve patients with minor, transient neurological symptoms and normal MRI findings. The contradicting ‘differential stretch hypothesis’ is based on the premise that the spinal column will deform elastically, exceeding the elastic deforming potential of the more fragile spinal cord, but will return to its baseline stability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the need for bracing in patients with SCIWORA based on MRI evidence of instability.Methods:A retrospective chart review was performed for a series of eleven patients with documented SCIWORA that presented to Red Cross Children's Hospital over the past 8 years. Details regarding mode of injury, age at presentation, neurologi...