Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 18 patients with acute cervical cord injury using T2-weighted images of a 1.0-T magnet. Three different types of MRI signal patterns were detected in association with these cervical cord injuries. A classification was developed using these three patterns. Type I, seen in six patients, demonstrated a low signal intensity consistent with acute intraspinal hemorrhage. Type II, seen in seven patients, demonstrated a high signal intensity consistent with acute cord edema. Thpe III, seen in five patients, demonstrated no abnormal signal intensity. Type I patterns showed complete quadriplegia except for one and no improvement in their Frankel classification. In comparison, Type II and III patterns improved at least one Frankel classification. MR at 1.0T in extremely useful in the diagnosis of acute cord injury and also demonstrates potential in predicting neurologic recovery.
