Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) remains a significant cause of human suffering. The World Health Organization estimates that there are between 250,000 to 500,000 new cases every year. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been an important advancement in the diagnosis and management of TSCI. Nevertheless, there is a lack of literature correlating the radiological abnormalities and histopathological findings in the first hour (i.e., hyperacute period) after injury. The aim of this preliminary study is to elucidate the relationship between the MRI abnormalities and histopathological abnormalities in the hyperacute time period. In this study, a non-human primate model (NHP) primate model is used to characterize the histopathological and radiological features. Specifically, an experimental TSCI is created with an epidural catheter. This is followed by MRI imaging. The subject is then humanely euthanized and a post-mortem examination is completed. These results suggest that the noted radiological abnormalities are consistent with a combination of hemorrhage, edema as well as eosinophilic cellular matter in the central canal.
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