The clinical presentation of chronic whiplash and the relationship to findings of MRI fatty infiltrates in the cervical extensor musculature: a preliminary investigation.

The objective was to determine whether any measurable changes in sensory responses, kinesthetic sense, cervical motion, and psychological features were related to established fatty infiltration values in the cervical extensor musculature in subjects with persistent whiplash. It is unknown if fatty infiltrate is related to any signs or symptoms. Data on motor function, Quantitative Sensory Testing, psychological and general well-being, and pain and disability were collected from 79 female subjects with chronic whiplash.

Characterization of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders.

Synopsis: The development of chronic pain and disability following whiplash injury is common and contributes substantially to personal and economic costs related with this condition. Emerging evidence demonstrates the clinical presence of alterations in the sensory and motor systems, including psychological distress in all individuals with a whiplash injury, regardless of recovery. However, individuals who transition to the chronic state present with a more complex clinical picture characterized by the presence of widespread sensory hypersensitivity, as well as significant posttraumatic stress reactions.

MRI study of the cross-sectional area for the cervical extensor musculature in patients with persistent whiplash associated disorders (WAD).

Cervical muscle function is disturbed in patients with persistent pain related to a whiplash associated disorder (WAD) but little is known about neck extensor muscle morphometry in this group. This study used magnetic resonance imaging to measure relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) of the rectus capitis posterior minor and major, multifidus, semispinalis cervicis and capitis, splenius capitis and upper trapezius muscles bilaterally at each cervical segment. In total, 113 female subjects (79 WAD, 34 healthy control; 18-45 years, 3 months-3 years post-injury) were recruited for the study.

Fatty infiltration in the cervical extensor muscles in persistent whiplash-associated disorders: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional investigation of muscle changes in patients suffering from persistent whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Objectives: To quantitatively compare the presence of fatty infiltrate in the cervical extensor musculature in a cohort of chronic whiplash patients (WAD II) and healthy control subjects across muscle and cervical segmental level.

Summary Of Background Data: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be regarded as the gold standard for muscle imaging; however, there is little knowledge about in vivo features of neck extensor muscles in patients suffering from persistent WAD and how fat content alters across the factors of muscle, vertebral segments, age, self-reported pain and disability, compensation status, body mass index, and duration of symptoms.