Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) has a reported rate of incidence varying from 19% to 34% of all spinal cord injuries in children. This acronym refers to the presence of neurological lesion, despite normal plain radiographs, but where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of pediatrics 2006-02, Vol.165 (2), p.108-111
Main Authors: BULDINI, Barbara, AMIGONI, Angela, FAGGIN, Roberto, LAVERDA, Anna Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls
Accidents, Traffic
Biological and medical sciences
Cerebrospinal fluid. Meninges. Spinal cord
Cervical Vertebrae - injuries
Cervical Vertebrae - pathology
Female
General aspects
Humans
Infant
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Medical sciences
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Spinal Cord Injuries - diagnosis
Thoracic Vertebrae - injuries
Thoracic Vertebrae - pathology
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Summary:Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) has a reported rate of incidence varying from 19% to 34% of all spinal cord injuries in children. This acronym refers to the presence of neurological lesion, despite normal plain radiographs, but where magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows significant pathology. The clinical evidence of the damage could be delayed in 6-54% of cases, usually within 48 h after the trauma. We report two patients affected by SCIWORA in the pediatric population. The first patient was a child of 22 months who had fallen when attempting to get out of bed. The second patient was an 11-month-old child admitted to the Emergency Service department after a car accident. Spinal cord injury has to be suspected in the presence of neurological signs, despite normal plain radiography. MRI is the appropriate diagnostic examination to identify the presence of SCIWORA.
ISSN:0340-6199
1432-1076
DOI:10.1007/s00431-005-0004-0