Pediatric Spine Trauma
An 8-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department after being struck by a car while crossing the street. He was thrown forward and landed on his back. He initially could not move his legs at the scene but motor function returned by the time the ambulance arrived. On examination, he has 4/5 power in his lower limbs and decreased pinprick sensation below T10. Plain radiographs and CT of his spine are completely normal with no fracture, dislocation, or ligamentous injury evident. The trauma team is considering further imaging. Regarding SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality):
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
SCIWORA describes spinal cord injury with neurological deficit but normal plain radiographs and CT s...
Anatomical factors predisposing children to SCIWORA include: hypermobility of the pediatric spine, h...
SCIWORA only occurs in the cervical spine; MRI findings are always normal by definition (no radiogra...
MRI findings in SCIWORA range from normal to cord edema, hemorrhage, or transection; cord hemorrhage...
The phenomenon of delayed onset SCIWORA (symptoms developing hours to days after injury) is well-doc...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option