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Studies from N. Vetti et al add new findings in the area of whiplash injury
2009 MAY 12 - (NewsRx.com) -- "This study describes the prevalence of high-signal changes at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the alar and transverse ligaments in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) grades 1-2 in relation to age, gender, spinal degeneration, type of trauma event and time since trauma. In 1,266 consecutive WAD1-2 patients (779 women, 487 men; mean age 42 years) referred from clinicians, high-signal changes in the alar and transverse ligaments at high-resolution proton-weighted MRI were prospectively graded 0-3 based on a previously reported, reliable grading system," scientists in Bergen, Norway report. "Type of event according to The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and time of trauma were obtained from referral letters. MRI showed grades 2-3 alar ligament changes in 449 (35.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 32.8 to 38.1%) and grades 2-3 transverse ligament changes in 311 (24.6%; 95% CI, 22.2% to 26.9%) of the 1,266 patients. Grades 2-3 changes were more common in men than women, odds ratio 1.9 (95% CI, 1.5 to 2.5) for alar and 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.0) for transverse ligament changes. High-signal changes were not related to age, spinal degeneration, type of trauma event or time since trauma (median 5 years). Unilateral changes were more often left- than right-sided. High-signal changes of the alar and transverse ligaments are common in WAD1-2 and unlikely to represent age-dependent degeneration. Their male and left-side preponderance cannot be explained by variation in ligament stretching or image artefacts," wrote N. Vetti and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Further studies are needed to clarify whether such changes are caused by trauma." Vetti and colleagues published their study in Neuroradiology (MRI of the alar and transverse ligaments in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) grades 1-2: high-signal changes by age, gender, event and time since trauma. Neuroradiology, 2009;51(4):227-235). For more information, contact N. Vetti, Haukeland Hospital, Dept. of Radiol, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. Publisher contact information for the journal Neuroradiology is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: Norway, Bergen, Whiplash Injury, Gender Health, Gender Medicine, Magnetic Resonance, Neuroradiology, Orthopedics, Radiology, Whiplash, Women's Health. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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