ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim was to correlate the clinical profile and neurological outcome with findings of imaging modalities in acute spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Imaging (radiographs, computed tomography [CT], and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) features of 25 patients of acute SCI were analyzed prospectively and correlated with clinical and neurology outcome at presentation, 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Average initial sagittal index, Gardner's index, and regional kyphosis were 8.12 ± 3.90, 15.68 ± 4.09, 16.44 ± 2.53, respectively; and at 1-year were 4.8 ± 3.03, 12.24 ± 4.36, 12.44 ± 2.26, respectively. At presentation patients with complete SCI had significantly more compression percentage (CP) (P < 0.001), maximum canal compromise (P < 0.001), maximum spinal cord compression (P < 0.001), in comparison to incomplete SCI patients. Qualitative MRI findings; hemorrhage, cord swelling, stenosis showed a predilection toward complete SCI. Improvement in canal dimensions (P = 0.001), beck index (P = 0.008), spinal cord edema (P = 0.010) and stenosis (P = 0.001) was more significant in patients managed operatively; but it was not associated with improved neurological outcome. Cord edema was found more in incomplete SCI patients. Patients presenting with complete SCI improved neurologically to a lesser extent. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that imaging modalities in spinal cord injuries have a major role in diagnosis, directing management and predicting prognosis. Imaging findings of severe kyphotic deformities, higher canal and cord compression, lesion length, hemorrhage, and cord swelling are associated with poor initial neurological status and recovery. Quantitative and qualitative parameters measured on MRI have a significant role in predicting initial severity of neurological status and outcome. Operative intervention helps in improving few of these imaging parameters, but not ultimate neurological outcome. MRI is an excellent modality to evaluate acute SCI, and MR images obtained in the acute period significantly and usefully predict neurological outcome.
ABSTRACT
Isolated trochlea fracture in adults is a rare surgical entity as compared to its capitellar counterpart. It has been only mentioned sporadically in the literature as case reports. Fracture of the trochlea is accompanied by other elbow injuries like elbow dislocation, capitellum fracture, ulnar fracture and extraarticular condylar fracture. Here we report a unique case of isolated displaced trochlea fracture associated with fractures of the lateral end clavicle and the distal end radius. We propose a unique mechanism for this rare combination of injuries: typical triad of injury, i.e. fracture of the distal end radius with trochlea and fracture of the lateral end of the clavicle. Nonoperative treatment is recommended for undisplaced humeral trochlea fractures; but for displaced ones, anatomical reduction and internal fixation are essential to maintain the congruous trochlea-coronoid articulation and hence to maintain the intrinsic stability of the elbow.
