Abstract: Objective To investigate the role of color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI)in the early diagnosis of heterotopic ossification after spinal cord injury.Methods Serial CDFI and X-ray were performed per week in 39 patients with spinal cord injuries who were suspicioned with heterotopic ossification clinically.Results The finding under the CDFI including:losing of the regular lamellar pattern of the muscle fibres,chaotic irregular echogenic pattern,echo-free heamatoma,calcification,and extrinsic venous compression.There was statistical significance of incidence of diagnosis between CDFI and X-ray within a week(PP<0.01).Conclusion CDFI is effective on the early diagnosis of heterotopic ossification.

Key words: color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI), X-ray, heterotopic ossification, early diagnosis, spinal cord injury