Topics in magnetic resonance imaging : TMRI
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Top Magn Reson Imaging · Dec 2015
ReviewMagnetic Resonance Imaging of Pediatric Neurologic Emergencies.
Although computed tomography is often the first line of imaging in the emergency setting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is of increasing importance in the evaluation of central nervous system emergencies in the pediatric population. As such, it is necessary to understand the indications for which MRI may be necessary. This article reviews the unique pathophysiologic entities affecting the pediatric population and the associated MRI findings. Specifically, utility of emergent MRI and characteristic appearances of traumatic brain injury, traumatic spinal injury, nonaccidental trauma, arterial ischemic stroke, cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, stroke mimics, and central nervous system infections are described.
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Like the brain, the spinal cord is subject to trauma, infection, ischemia, hemorrhage, and compression. Early diagnosis is the key to preventing significant morbidity in the form of permanent disability. MR imaging is the gold standard for assessing acute injury to the spinal cord, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and surrounding soft tissues. In this article we systematically review the MRI findings in spinal cord trauma, ligamentous injury, epidural hematoma, epidural abscess, and metastatic disease.