Incidence of discoligamentous injuries in patients with acute central cord syndrome and underlying degenerative cervical spinal stenosis

•Traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury.•The incidence of DLI in traumatic CCS with preexisting spinal stenosis seems to be higher than previously reported.•The sensitivity of MRI for detecting DLI is limited in patients with preexisting degenerative cervical spondylosis (79%).•There is a risk of missing a traumatic disco-ligamentous injury in these patients.•Limited sensitivity of MRI for DLI in traumatic CCS based on preexisting spinal stenosis should be considered.