Male, 15 years old, with new numbness and tingling in the bilateral legs, status post cervical spinal cord injury in June 2016 after wrestling. Cervical:Evidence of anterior and posterior instrumented fusion is seen at C5-6. Artifact from the instruments causes local image distortion. At the C5-6 level, a band of abnormal hyperintense T2 signal appears to traverse the spinal cord. Above this level, an inverted-V shaped column of abnormal T2 signal is seen involving the midline dorsal spinal cord. This abnormality extends superiorly to the cervico-medullary junction. Below the C5-6 level, abnormal spinal cord signal is seen more diffusely, but in particular, the lateral columns appear to be affected. This abnormality extends down to the level of the conus.Spinal alignment is anatomic. Vertebral body height and morphology are within normal limits. No areas of pathologic marrow replacement or edema are seen. Intervertebral discs are preserved. No significant compromise of the spinal canal or neural foramina is seen.Spinal alignment is grossly anatomic. Vertebral body heights are preserved. No areas of pathologic marrow replacement or edema are seen.
Evidence of severe spinal cord injury is seen at the C5-6 level where there is a band of T2 hyperintensity spanning the cervical cord. This may represent partial transection or sequelae of prior contusion.Above the level of spinal cord injury, abnormal T2 signal is seen affecting the dorsal columns. Below the level of the spinal cord injury, abnormal T2 signal is seen more diffusely within the cord but particularly affecting the lateral columns. This pattern of findings is characteristic of Wallerian degeneration following spinal cord injury.No additional pathologic or unexpected findings are seen in the context of prior trauma.