Clinical and Imaging Correlation of CT and MRI Findings with Neurological Status in Traumatic Cervical Spine Injuries: A Retrospective Study
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate and correlate computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings with neurological status in patients with traumatic cervical spine injuries. Design: Retrospective observational study. Subjects/Patients: Sixty-five patients with acute cervical spine trauma presenting to a tertiary care center were included. Methods: Computed tomography was performed in all patients to assess fracture morphology, vertebral alignment, and spinal canal compromise. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in patients with neurological deficits or inconclusive computed tomography findings to evaluate spinal cord signal abnormalities and discoligamentous complex injury. Neurological status was assessed using the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale. Statistical association between imaging findings and neurological status was analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Subaxial cervical spine injuries were the most common injury pattern. Compression fractures, facet dislocations, and burst fractures were frequently identified. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated spinal cord edema and intramedullary hemorrhage in a subset of patients. Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality was identified in a small number of cases. A statistically significant association was observed between spinal cord signal abnormalities and neurological impairment. Conclusion: Computed tomography is essential for rapid assessment of osseous injuries in cervical spine trauma, while magnetic resonance imaging provides important prognostic information by identifying spinal cord and ligamentous abnormalities. Combined use of both modalities improves diagnostic evaluation and neurological prognostication.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Ramesh G. Goud, Dr. Buthpur Tejaswini, Dr. Padmaja Reddy Singireddy, Dr. Nln Moorthy, Dr. Md Meraj, Dr. Sohini Gandham
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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