Long Term Follow-Up Results of Spinal Concussion Cases: Definition of Late Injuries of the Spinal Cord.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiologic findings of cases diagnosed with spinal concussion and to describe the spinal cord injuries that are detected in the later course.

METHODS: Data obtained from 91 cases, who had been diagnosed with spinal concussion, were retrospectively evaluated. These were placed in 2 groups according to the type of trauma (axial forces or vertical forces). Magnetic resonance imaging scans taken >6 months after the trauma were inspected.

RESULTS: Axial and vertical forces result in different types of spine injuries. The effect of vertical forces on the spinal cord can involve longer segments and the effect of axial forces remains limited to a few segments. Vertical forces usually result in the development of syringomyelias in the late period, whereas axial forces may cause cavitation and stretch injuries to the spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with spinal concussion manifest complete recovery in the early period after the trauma, findings related to the spinal cord may appear in the later course. The direction of the forces that the spinal cord is subjected to may result in different cord injuries in the late period.