SCIWORA

SCIWORA is the abbreviation of spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality ^1,2. This may be an indication for MRI when there is persisting, objective myelopathy after a traumatic event with normal plain film and CT findings. It accounts for ~10% of spinal cord injuries. 

Epidemiology

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality is more common in the pediatric population. This is due to increased ligamentous laxity and increased head to body ratio in children ⁴.  Children aged less than 8 years are more vulnerable ⁵.

Pathology

Etiology

Electric current injury to the spinal cord, pregnancy complications, congenital spinal malformations, and penetrating trauma to the spinal canal is not included in the criteria ³.

Location

The cervical spinal cord is most commonly involved because of the increased stretchability ⁴.

History and etymology

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality was first described by two neurosurgeons from the United States of America, Dachling Pang and Jack E. Wilberge Jr, in 1982 ⁵.