Podcast #312: SCIWORA

Author: Sam Killian, M.D.

Educational Pearls:

• Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) is a diagnosis defined as traumatic injury to spine with clinical sx of traumatic myelopathy (paraplegia, paresthesias, FND) without radiographic abnormalities.

• Term was established in 1970's before MRI and accounted for about 15% of injuries at the time (mainly children). Today SCIWORA accounts for about 10% of spinal injuries.

• Belief is that injury causes subtle movement of the spinal cord from its natural position with resultant contusion or ischemia with subsequent deficits.

• Treatment involves prolonged immobilization (up to 12 weeks).

References:

Walecki, J. (2014). Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality (SCIWORA) – Clinical and Radiological Aspects. Polish Journal of Radiology,79, 461-464. doi:10.12659/pjr.890944