CT and MRI in Spinal Trauma

Spinal trauma is a common indication for imaging of the spinal column. Plain radiographs and CT imaging are the most common types of imaging used to screen for spinal injury. MR imaging is less utilized because radiography and CT answer man of the important questions quickly and in a less expensive manner. Instead, MR is reserved at most institutions when new onset of neurological symptoms is present in a trauma patient or when specific questions cannot be answered by radiography and CT.