Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics and therapy of fresh cervical spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) in children.MethodsThe materials of fourteen SCIWORA children (13 cases treated with non operative menthod, 1 case treated by atlantoocciptal fusion) were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsOne child was dead, and the other 13 cases had a 3-year follow up. Three children's symptoms had no change. According to ASIA criterion, there were 3 cases with grade A, 5 cases with grade B, 5 cases with grade C and 1 case with grade D before treatment. After treatment, there were 1 case recovered to grade B, 2 cases recovered to grade C, 5 cases recovered to grade D, 2 cases recovered to grade E.ConclusionSpinal cord injury caused by a short time dislocation of cervical vertebrae is the main reason of SCIWORA in children. The degree of the injury of spinal cord is related directly with the recovery of function of nervous system. Most patients can get satisfactory results by non operative methods. Operations are useful to the cases with obvious instability of cervical spine.

Key words: radiographic, cervical spinal cord injury, treatment, children