Context/Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indices of spinal cord damage are predictive of future motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI): hyperintensity length, midsagittal tissue bridges, and Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC) scores. Whether these indices are predictive of outdoor walking after SCI is unknown. The primary purpose was to see if these MRI indices predict the ability to walk outdoors one-year after SCI. The secondary purpose was to determine if MRI indices provide additional predictive value if initial lower extremity motor scores are available.

Design: Retrospective. Clinical T₂-weighted MRIs were used to quantify spinal cord damage. Three MRI indices were calculated: midsagittal ventral tissue bridges, hyperintensity length, BASIC scores.

Setting: Academic hospital.

Participants: 129 participants with cervical SCI.

Interventions: Inpatient rehabilitation.

Outcomes Measures: One year after SCI, participants self-reported their outdoor walking ability.

Results: Midsagittal ventral tissue bridges, hyperintensity length, and BASIC scores significantly correlated with outdoor walking ability (R = 0.34, P < 0.001; R = −0.25, P < 0.01; Rs = −0.35, P < 001, respectively). Using midsagittal ventral tissue bridges and hyperintensity length, the final adjusted R² for model 1 = 0.19. For model 2, the adjusted R² using motor scores alone = 0.81 and MRI variables were non-significant. All five participants with observable intramedullary hemorrhage reported they were unable to walk one block outdoors.

Conclusions: The MRI indices were significant predictors of outdoor walking ability, but when motor scores were available, this was the strongest predictor and neither midsagittal tissue bridges nor hyperintensity length contributed additional value. MRI indices may be a quick and convenient supplement to physical examination when motor testing is unavailable.

背景/目标：脊髓损伤的磁共振成像 (MRI) 指标可预测脊髓损伤 (SCI) 后的未来运动功能：高强度长度、正中矢状组织桥以及脑和脊髓损伤中心 (BASIC) 评分。这些指标是否可以预测脊髓损伤后的户外步行尚不清楚。主要目的是查看这些 MRI 指标是否可以预测 SCI 后一年的户外行走能力。次要目的是确定如果初始下肢运动评分可用，MRI 指数是否提供额外的预测价值。

设计：回顾性。临床T ₂加权MRI用于量化脊髓损伤。计算了三个 MRI 指标：正中矢状腹侧组织桥、高信号长度、BASIC 评分。

地点：学术医院。

参与者： 129 名颈椎 SCI 参与者。

干预措施：住院康复。

结果测量： SCI 一年后，参与者自我报告了他们的户外步行能力。

结果：正中矢状腹侧组织桥、高强度长度和 BASIC 评分与户外步行能力显着相关（分别为R  = 0.34，P < 0.001；R  = -0.25，P < 0.01；Rs = -0.35，P < 001）。使用正中矢状腹侧组织桥和高强度长度，模型 1 的最终调整R ^{2 = 0.19。}对于模型 2，仅使用运动评分调整后的R ² = 0.81，MRI 变量不显着。所有五名有明显髓内出血的参与者都报告说他们无法在户外行走一个街区。

结论： MRI 指数是户外行走能力的重要预测因子，但当运动评分可用时，这是最强的预测因子，正中矢状组织桥和高强度长度都没有贡献额外的价值。当无法进行运动测试时，MRI 指数可能是体格检查的一种快速方便的补充。