The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging measurements for assessing cervical spinal canal stenosis

The cord-canal-area ratio (> 0.8) or the space available for the cord (< 1.2 mm) measured on MR images can be used to reliably identify patients at risk for acute CSCI after a minor trauma to the cervical spine. However, there does not seem to be any association between spinal canal imaging characteristics and the severity of or recovery from CSCI after a minor trauma.