Acute Orthopedic Trauma to the Axial and Appendicular Spine

Irishmen Colles and Smith described fractures of the distal radius in the 18th century, focusing on osseous injury. The widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of trauma allowing concomitant visualization of both osseous and soft tissue derangement has lead to an appreciation that these pioneering descriptions are simplistic and overlook a significant component of the injury, that is, derangement to supporting soft tissues. In this edition of Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, we present an overview of the use of MRI in assessing acute orthopedic trauma to the axial and appendicular spine. Reflecting my own ethnicity and position as a practicing radiologist in Ireland, I have gathered authors in this edition sharing both Irish and American traditions, with representatives from both major medical centers in the United States and representatives from Ireland, primarily within my own departments in the Cappagh National Orthopaedic and Mater Misericordiae University Hospitals and Irishmen based in major centers in Britain, Eugene McNally and Phil O'Connor (honorary Irishman). This issue covers the gamut, ranging from basic principles and concepts of bone marrow and muscle trauma through an appreciation of macrotrauma to the extremities.