A total of 108 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) (n = 92), ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) (n = 8), or both (n = 8) were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed with 0.5-T superconductive and 0.22-T resistive units. OPLL was demonstrated as a low-signal-intensity band between the bone marrow of the vertebral body and the dural sac on T1- and T2-weighted images. Continuous cervical OPLL was easier to diagnose than segmental cervical OPLL. T2-weighted images were more useful for detection of ossification of the ligaments. OYL was recognized as an impression on the posterior dural sac. Formation of bone marrow within an area of ossification, shown as increased or intermediate signal intensity, was observed in 56% of the cases of continuous OPLL, 11% of the cases of segmental OPLL, and none of the cases of OYL. The degree of cord compression was more severe in continuous OPLL. Degeneration of the disk was frequently associated with both types of OPLL.

Thirty-one patients (29 males and two females, 13-87 years of age (mean, 46.7 years] with acute spinal cord injury were studied by MR (magnetic resonance) imaging and the results were correlated with neurological findings. Magnetic resonance images were obtained with a 0.5 T superconductive MR scanner (Phillips Gyroscan S5). Initial imaging was performed within 24 hours after trauma in 13 patients, 1-7 days in 13 patients and 7-14 days in five patients. Twenty-six patients underwent follow-up examinations with MR imaging. Cord abnormalities including cord compression (23 patients), cord swelling (seven patients), and abnormal signal intensities on either T1 or T2-weighted images (26 patients) were observed on initial examination. Multivariate analysis showed that cord compression and abnormal intensities on T1-weighted images were important prognostic indicators. Hyperintensity on T2-weighted images was non-specific but correlated well with clinical recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful in predicting the prognosis and for planning treatment following spinal cord injuries.

The HASTE sequence generates high contrast images and is free of motion and chemical shift artifacts, with much better time efficacy. The sequence provides comparable diagnostic information to TSE sequences.