Post traumatic myelopathy with prevertebral hematoma

Case contributed by Abdulmajid Bawazeer
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Status postaxial type of trauma with bilateral lower limb weakness and paraesthesis along with urine incontinence.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male

Increased thickness of the prevertebral soft tissue filled by linear hyperdensity.

Unremarkable non-enhanced brain study.

Normal cervical body height and alignment.

Short segment swelling and high signal intensity are seen within the spinal cord extending from the level of C3 to C5.

The prevertebral soft tissue is filled by high signal intensity on T2WI and intermediate signal on T1WI extending from C2 to C5. 

Case Discussion

Looking for prevertebral thickening / hematoma in setting of neurological insult after trauma is crucial as it could be the only clue for spinal cord injury in CT scan images.

MRI is the best modality to assess post-traumatic spinal cord injury.   

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