Penetrating cervical spinal cord injury: CT and MRI findings

Abstract

Background

Stab wounds resulting spinal cord injury (SCI) are relatively rare and typically associated with immediate neurological damage.

Objectives

We report MDCT and MRI findings of spinal injury findings following an unusual penetrating stab wound of the neck.

Case report

A 31-year-old man had a stab wound in the cervical region. CT showed linear fracture in the corpus and left lamina of fourth cervical vertebra. MRI revealed left side oriented posteroanterior penetrating linear spinal cord lesion and broad T2W hyperintensity changes representing spinal cord contusion.

Conclusion

CT and MRI allow bony injuries, foreign bodies, spinal instability and the classification of different types of lesions, ranging from spinal cord edema to complete spinal cord transection. MR imaging should be performed after acquiring negative CT imaging findings in the case of high suspicion of spinal cord trauma as seen in our present case.