Early magnetic resonance imaging in spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality in adults: a retrospective study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients experiencing blunt spinal trauma without radiological abnormalities but transient or persistent neurological deficits.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed plain radiographs, computed tomographic scans, and magnetic resonance images of patients with spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality (SCIWORA) who were admitted to a Level I trauma center. Neurologic status, Frankel grade, and short-term patient outcome were assessed.