Abstract: Objective To compare conventional MRI,short-tau inversion recovery( STIR ), multiple-echo image combination gradient-echo sequence( ME2D)and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI)in acute cervical spine trauma. Methods Conventional T1WI,T2WI,STIR,ME2D and high-resolution SWI were performed in 30 patients with a history of acute cervical spine injury using a 3 Tesla MRI system( Verio,siemens,Germany ). The detection of vertebral body,intervertebral disc and paravertebral ligament injury by T2 WI and STIR were analyzed. The signal intensity in the hemorrhage and normal spinal cord were measured on the same slice of ME2D and SWI,respectively,and the signal intensity ratio of the hemorrhage to normal spinal cord were calculated. Results Compared with T2 WI, STIR sequence had higher detection rate in showing vertebral bodies injuries,interspinal ligament and nuchal ligament injuries(χ2 =21 . 043 ,1 063 . 499 ,859 . 982 ,P<0 . 01 ),the consistency of result of STIR and T2 WI in detecting injury of interspinal ligament and nuchal ligament was poor( Kappa= 0. 336 and 0 . 329 ). There was no significant difference between STIR and T2 WI in detecting injury of intervertebral disc,anterior longitudinal ligament and posterior longitudinal ligament. Compared with ME2D,SWI sequence could show lower signal intensity ratio of the hemorrhage to normal spinal cord,and there were statistical differences(Z=2. 52,P=0. 014). Conclusion Compared with T2WI,STIR has significant advantage in detecting injury of vertebral body and posterior ligament complex,so STIR should be included in the routine MRI sequence of acute cervical spine trauma;SWI is more sensitive than T2 WI and ME2 D in showing and confirming hemorrhage in acute cervical cord injury and should serve as important complement sequence for acute spinal cord injury.

Key words: cervical vertebrae, wounds and injuries, magnetic resonance imaging