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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
07:28
A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
Traumatic cervical injuries in ankylosing spondylitis
P H Nakstad1, A Server, R Josefsen
1Department of Neuroradiology 1, Division of Radiology, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. perhjalmar.nakstad@ulleval.no
Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|June 12, 2004
Summary
Magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging are crucial for evaluating cervical trauma in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Early detection of epidural hematomas with MR significantly impacts clinical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) poses unique challenges in managing cervical trauma due to fused vertebrae.
- Traumatic spinal injuries in AS patients often present with severe neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of MR and CT in cervical trauma for AS patients.
- To establish an optimal imaging protocol for acute cervical trauma in AS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 11 AS patients with cervical trauma.
- Evaluation using plain X-ray, CT with reformatted images, and MR imaging.
Main Results:
- CT superior to X-ray for identifying fractures and dislocations.
- MR essential for detecting medullary changes and epidural hematomas (found in 4 patients).
- Poorer outcomes correlated with cord contusion and epidural hematomas.
Conclusions:
- Plain X-ray has limited value in the acute phase of cervical trauma in AS.
- A protocol including X-ray, CT, and MR is recommended for acute trauma in AS.
- MR is vital for identifying epidural hematomas, which negatively affect clinical outcomes.
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