[MR functional diagnosis of the cervical spine after strain injury]

50 patients with a history of distortion injury of the cervical spine were examined with static and functional MRI. Functional MRI consisted of different patient's positions from maximal extension to maximal flexion (30 degrees, 0 degrees, 25 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees). T2*-weighted gradient echo sequences were performed in a sagittal view for the different positions. Ligamentous instabilities and disc protrusions were seen only in functional MRI in 17 patients. These findings correlated with the neurological symptoms. Two patients were treated by operative fusion because of these findings.