Value of MRI SPACE-STIR sequence in determination of sacral fracture complicated with sacral nerve injury

English Keywords:Sacral fracture  Sacral nerve injury  MRI  SPACE-STIR sequence

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To investigate the diagnostic value of MRI SPACE-STIR sequence in determination of sacral fracture complicated with sacral nerve injury.Method：7 patients with sacral fracture and sacral nerve deficit from January 2009 to December 2010 were reviewed retrospectively.All cases presented with sacral nerve injury.X-ray，CT，MRI common scan and scan with SPACE-STIR sequence were performed preoperatively.After operation，the clinical data，routine scan images and images from SPACE-STIR sequence were analyzed retrospectively.Result：According to clinical symptoms and physical signs，5 cases had S1 nerve root injury，while 2 cases had S2 nerve root injury.Sacral fracture was determined by X-ray and CT scan，but sacral nerve injury could not be confirmed based on radiographic findings，even MRI could not do so.The preoperative MRI SPACE-STIR sequence showed rupture of sacral nerve root in 2 cases，compression and displacement of sacral nerve in 3 cases，and edema of sacral nerve in 5 cases；and S1 injury in 6 cases，while S2 injury in 1 cases.6 cases with S1 injury and 1 case with S2 injury were confirmed by operation，of these，there were 1 S1 nerve rupture and 1 S2 nerve rupture.The concordance rate between MRI SPACE-STIR sequence and operation in determining sacral nerve deficit was 100%.Conclusion：The 3T MRI SPACE-STIR sequence can directly exhibit sacral nerve injury due to sacral fracture.