Preliminary Diagnosis: Spinal cord trauma
I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis
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Trauma spine MR protocol with STIR sequences.
II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of spinal cord trauma.
Advantages
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Offers exquisite detail and is highly sensitive and specific to evaluate for any cord abnormality/pathology.
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Able to evaluate for any intradural or extradural abnormality, such as an epidural hematoma, with great accuracy.
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Does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation.
Disadvantages
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Expensive
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Time-consuming
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Requires significant patient cooperation to minimize motion artifact.
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Inferior to CT in evaluating for any osseous abnormality.
III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?
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Contraindicated in patients containing non-MR compatible hardware.
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Gadolinium contrast is contraindicated in patients with a GFR less than or equal to 30.
IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?
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No other specific imaging modalities are available to evaluate for cord pathology
V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosis of spinal cord trauma.
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Not applicable
VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?
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Not applicable
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