MRI study of the cross-sectional area for the cervical extensor musculature in patients with persistent whiplash associated disorders (WAD)

Cervical muscle function is disturbed in patients with persistent pain related to a whiplash associated disorder (WAD) but little is known about neck extensor muscle morphometry in this group. This study used magnetic resonance imaging to measure relative cross-sectional area (rCSA) of the rectus capitis posterior minor and major, multifidus, semispinalis cervicis and capitis, splenius capitis and upper trapezius muscles bilaterally at each cervical segment. In total, 113 female subjects (79 WAD, 34 healthy control; 18–45 years, 3 months–3 years post-injury) were recruited for the study. Significant main effects for differences in muscle and segmental level were found between the two groups (

Fatty Infiltration in the Cervical Extensor Muscles in Persistent Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis

Study Design. Cross-sectional investigation of muscle changes in patients suffering from persistent whiplash-associated disorders (WAD)

The pearls and pitfalls of magnetic resonance imaging for the spine

Musculoskeletal imaging of the spine can be an invaluable tool to inform clinical decision making in patients with spinal pain. An understanding of the technology involved in producing and interpreting high-resolution images produced from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the human spine is necessary to better appreciate which sequences can be used for, or tailored to, individual patients and their conditions. However, there is substantial variability in the clinical meaningfulness of some MRI findings of spinal tissues. For example, normal variants can often mimic significant musculoskeletal pathology, which could increase the risk of misinformed clinical decisions and, even worse, poor or adverse outcomes. This clinical commentary will highlight some of the pearls and pitfalls of MRI for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, and include cases to illustrate some of the common imaging artifacts and normal variants for MRI of the spine

Characterization of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders

The development of chronic pain and disability following whiplash injury is common and contributes substantially to personal and economic costs related with this condition. Emerging evidence demonstrates the clinical presence of alterations in the sensory and motor systems, including psychological distress in all individuals with a whiplash injury, regardless of recovery. However, individuals who transition to the chronic state present with a more complex clinical picture characterized by the presence of widespread sensory hypersensitivity, as well as significant posttraumatic stress reactions. Based on the diversity of the signs and symptoms experienced by individuals with a whiplash condition, clinicians must take into account the more readily observable/measurable differences in motor, sensory, and psychological dysfunction. The implications for the assessment and management of this condition are discussed. Further review into the pathomechanical, pathoanatomical, and pathophysiological features of the condition also will be discussed.Level 5.

The clinical presentation of chronic whiplash and the relationship to findings of MRI fatty infiltrates in the cervical extensor musculature: a preliminary investigation

The objective was to determine whether any measurable changes in sensory responses, kinesthetic sense, cervical motion, and psychological features were related to established fatty infiltration values in the cervical extensor musculature in subjects with persistent whiplash. It is unknown if fatty infiltrate is related to any signs or symptoms. Data on motor function, Quantitative Sensory Testing, psychological and general well-being, and pain and disability were collected from 79 female subjects with chronic whiplash. Total fat values were created for all subjects by averaging the muscle fat indices by muscle, level, and side from our MRI dataset of all the cervical extensor muscles. Results of this study indicate the presence of altered physical, kinesthetic, sensory, and psychological features in this cohort of patients with chronic whiplash. Combined factors of sensory, physical, kinesthetic, and psychological features all contributed to a small extent in explaining the varying levels of fatty infiltrate, with cold pain thresholds having the most influence (r(2) = 0.28; P = 0.02). Identifying and relating quantifiable muscular alterations to clinical measures in the chronic state, underpin some clinical hypotheses for possible pathophysiological processes in this group with a chronic and recalcitrant whiplash disorder. Future research investigations aimed at accurate identification, sub-classification, prediction, and management of patients with acute and chronic whiplash is warranted and underway