Peng Y, Luo NN, Gan L, Zhang JQ. Magnetic resonance imaging tissue bridges: An emerging biomarker for prognostication in traumatic spinal cord injury. World J Orthop 2026; 17(2): 115848 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i2.115848]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jia-Qi Zhang, MD, PhD, Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Postgraduate Union Training Base of Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, No. 15 Jiefang Road, Fancheng District, Xiangyang 441000, Hubei Province, China. 347235272@qq.com
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Orthopedics
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Editorial
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This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Feb 18, 2026 (publication date) through Feb 4, 2026
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World Journal of Orthopedics
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2218-5836
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Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
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Peng Y, Luo NN, Gan L, Zhang JQ. Magnetic resonance imaging tissue bridges: An emerging biomarker for prognostication in traumatic spinal cord injury. World J Orthop 2026; 17(2): 115848 [DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i2.115848]
World J Orthop. Feb 18, 2026; 17(2): 115848 Published online Feb 18, 2026. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v17.i2.115848
Magnetic resonance imaging tissue bridges: An emerging biomarker for prognostication in traumatic spinal cord injury
Yao Peng, Ni-Na Luo, Ling Gan, Jia-Qi Zhang
Yao Peng, Ling Gan, Jia-Qi Zhang, Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Postgraduate Union Training Base of Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Xiangyang 441000, Hubei Province, China
Ni-Na Luo, Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang 441000, Hubei Province, China
Co-first authors: Yao Peng and Ni-Na Luo.
Co-corresponding authors: Ling Gan and Jia-Qi Zhang.
Author contributions: Peng Y and Luo NN made equal contributions as co-first authors; Zhang JQ contributed to the writing and editing of the manuscript; Peng Y contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Luo NN contributed to the literature search; Gan L designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Gan L and Zhang JQ made equal contributions as co-corresponding authors. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation, No. 2025AFB885; and Graduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund of Wuhan University of Science and Technology, No. JCX2024044.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Jia-Qi Zhang, MD, PhD, Department of Ultrasound Imaging, Postgraduate Union Training Base of Xiangyang No. 1 People’s Hospital, No. 15 Jiefang Road, Fancheng District, Xiangyang 441000, Hubei Province, China. 347235272@qq.com
Received: October 27, 2025 Revised: December 4, 2025 Accepted: January 14, 2026 Published online: February 18, 2026 Processing time: 100 Days and 11.7 Hours
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) remains one of the most challenging conditions in neuro-orthopedics, and functional recovery outcomes are mainly unpredictable. A recent prospective study provided compelling evidence that quantitative magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers, particularly midsagittal tissue bridge dimensions, could serve as valuable predictors of neurological recovery following acute SCI. By correlating tissue bridge measurements at 1 month and 6 months with motor and sensory improvements, a clinically meaningful imaging-based prognostic model was developed. Moreover, the inverse association among canal compromise, lesion size, and functional outcomes highlighted the importance of early structural preservation in SCI management. This study emphasized the growing potential of magnetic resonance imaging as both a diagnostic and prognostic tool, with significant implications for patient stratification in clinical and research settings. Future research incorporating tissue bridge biomarkers with advanced imaging techniques and neuroregenerative therapies may further refine personalized rehabilitation strategies for SCI patients.
Core Tip: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers, specifically midsagittal tissue bridge dimensions measured at 1-month and 6-month post-injury, are emerging as strong predictors of neurological recovery in acute traumatic spinal cord injury. The preservation of tissue bridges is positively correlated with improved motor and sensory outcomes, while increased spinal canal compromise and lesion size are associated with poorer functional prognosis. These findings highlight the potential of magnetic resonance imaging for personalized prognostication and targeted rehabilitation planning in spinal cord injury.
