Spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) refers to spinal injuries, in the absence of identifi able bony or ligamentous injury on complete, technically adequate plain radiographs or computed tomography. In this study, Two cases diagnosed with SCIWORA have been presented to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for spinal cord injury. Case 1: A 12-year-old girl presented at the hospital complaining of numbness in her hands due to being hit on the neck while playing with her brother. She presented at our hospital 12 hours after the trauma. Neurological examination revealed fl accid tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance showed symmetrical axonal injury in the anterior spinal cord anterior from C 3-4 to C-7. IV high-dose methylprednisolone was administered and functional improvement was observed. Case 2: A 5-month-old male patient was brought to the hospital after a traffi c accident. He was referred to our child neurology clinic 18 hours after the trauma. Neurological examination revealed fl accid paraparesis, The spinal MRI investigation performed taking the clinical fi ndings into account revealed a T1 hypointense and T2A hyperintense appearance consistent with axonal injury of the spinal cord along a segment around 1,5 cm length from the Th1-Th2 intervertebral space to Th3. IV high-dose methylprednisolone was administered but signifi cant functional improvement was not observed. In conclusion, spinal magnetic resonance imaging is important along with the physical examination when trying to make a correct diagnosis in cases with a spinal trauma history. The involvement of the thoracic spine is associated with a poor neurological outcome. High-dose methylprednisolone treatment initiated in the early period may be life saving for patients identifi ed as having SCIWORA

Keywords: Child, SCIWORA, Spinal cord, Spinal trauma