Clinical value of MSCT and MRI in diagnosing thoracolumbar burst fractures

Objective: To explore the clinical value of multi-slice helical CT (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis of thoracolumbar burst fractures. Methods: The clinical record, MSCT and MRI of 52 thoracolumbar burst fractures were reviewed. Diagnosis of fracture and complications of spine cord, ligament and intervertebral disc injury on MSCT and MRI were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of 52 cases, MSCT (49) was significantly better than MRI (40) for delineating the fracture fragments in the vertebral canal (P<0.05). MRI was superior to CT for demonstrating ligament (15, 1), spinal cord (25, 6) and intervertebral disk (39, 5) injury (P<0.01). Conclusion: MSCT is the initial investigation for vertebral injury. MRI can be considered for ligament spinal cord injury. In thoracolumbar burst fractures, both MSCT and MRI should be performed. (authors)