SCIWORA

Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on

Synonyms: Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality

The term SCIWORA is an acronym and stands for Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality.

SCIWORA refers to clinical symptoms of a myelopathy without visible fractures or instability in X-ray or CT. SCIWORA occurs primarily in children and is explained by the laxity of the ligamentous structures in children. The term SCIWORA was used especially before the advent of MRI examination. With the advent of MRI examination, SCIWORA patients were often observed to have injuries to the ligamentous structures as well as the medulla[^2].

Epidemiology

SCIWORA is particularly common in children and accounts for 6-19% of spinal injuries in children and 9-14% of spinal injuries in adults[^1].

Localization

SCIWORA lesions are particularly common in the cervical spine but can also occur less frequently in the thoracic and lumbar spine[^1].