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Flexion and extension cervical MRI in a pediatric population
1Children's Rehabilitative Services, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Flexion/extension magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) effectively identifies cervical spine instability and spinal cord compression in pediatric patients. This imaging is crucial for guiding surgical decisions and improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Spinal Imaging
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cervical spine instability in children can lead to spinal cord compression.
- Accurate assessment is vital for appropriate surgical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of flexion/extension MRI in diagnosing cervical spinal cord compression due to instability in pediatric patients.
- To determine if MRI findings correlate with neurological manifestations and surgical necessity.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen pediatric patients (9 months to 12 years) underwent cervical spine flexion/extension MRI.
- Correlation of imaging findings with neurological status and surgical outcomes was performed.
Main Results:
- Nine patients showed spinal cord compression on flexion/extension MRI, all with neurological deficits and requiring surgery.
- Patients without MRI-demonstrated cord compression had no neurological manifestations.
- Flexion/extension MRI accurately identified the need for spinal fusion (arthrodesis) and decompression.
Conclusions:
- Flexion/extension MRI is a valuable tool for assessing pediatric cervical spine instability and associated cord compression.
- This imaging modality aids in selecting patients for surgery and determining the extent of surgical intervention (decompression).