[Traumatic cord and nerve root injuries: imaging features at the acute and chronic phases]

Cord injuries are frequent and severe lesions resulting in significant disability, most frequently in younger subjects. The area of cord injured results in clinical syndromes (Brown-Sequard, motor and/or sensory deficit...). Cord and rootlet injuries are best depicted on MRI. Diffusion tensor imaging with tractography enables depiction of the most severe cord lesions and some prediction of tissue viability which may provide an idea of the potential functional prognosis and patient recovery. MRI is optimal to demonstrate areas of cord hemorrhage or compression, partial or complete cord transsection, nerve root avulsion...