Clinical characteristics analysis of pediatric spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality in China: a retrospective study

This study examines spinal cord injuries in children where standard imaging doesn't show any clear damage. It looks at the causes, treatments, and outcomes of these injuries in Chinese children. The research found that these injuries are more common in girls under eight, often linked to dance-related activities like backbends. The study also suggests that the pressure to excel academically and extracurricularly in China may play a role. The severity of the injury at the beginning greatly affects how well a child recovers. The study highlights the importance of using advanced imaging techniques like DTI to diagnose these hard-to-detect injuries and suggests cautious use of steroid treatments.

• 1
  SCIWORA is more prevalent in Chinese children under eight years old, with a higher incidence in females than males.
• 2
  Thoracic spinal cord injuries are predominant, with dance backbend being a primary contributing factor.
• 3
  The initial severity of the injury plays a decisive role in determining the prognosis of SCIWORA.