Diagnosis, management and outcome of Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormalities (SCIWORA) in adult patients with trauma: a case series

Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) in adults presents a diagnostic challenge because standard imaging techniques may not reveal bone lesions. This study reports on 11 SCIWORA cases, detailing their clinical and radiological characteristics, treatment approaches, and patient outcomes. The findings suggest that a high degree of clinical suspicion and thorough assessment are essential to prevent further spinal cord damage and complications in SCIWORA cases.

• 1
  The majority of SCIWORA patients in this series were males with a mean age of 46.5 years, with falls being the most common injury mechanism.
• 2
  MRI is crucial for diagnosing SCIWORA by revealing soft tissue changes not visible on X-ray or CT scans.
• 3
  Patients with less severe SCIWORA are more likely to achieve complete recovery, while those with severe injuries often experience residual neurological dysfunction.