[Imaging features of neurologic and orthopedic complications from severe trauma]

Abstract

Cranial and spinal trauma are a frequent cause of disability in the general population. Post-traumatic paraplegia or quadriplegia or hemiplegia from vascular injury (CVA) can lead to early complications (respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, cutaneous, infectious...) that may have an impact on the immediate prognosis. Neurologic and orthopedic complications occur later and further impair the quality of life of patients. Orthopedic complications include: neurogenic paraosteoarthropathy (NPOA) or neurogenic osteoma or myositis ossificans (NMO). The nomenclature currently in use is NMO; Osseous complications: osteoporosis and secondary insufficiency fractures; Joint complications: degenerative arthropathy and stiffness; Overuse mechanical complications; Muscular complications; Infectious complications: arthritis and myositis complicating skin ulcers and bed sores. The purpose of this paper is to describe these neuro-orthopedic complications and review their imaging features.