Hemangioblastomas are low-grade, highly vascular tumors that are usually associated with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Hemangioblastomas most commonly occur in the cerebellum, and intradural extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cauda equina is very rare, especially in patients without von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. Herein, we report a case of intradural extramedullary hemangioblastoma of the cauda equina that was not associated with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, with a focus on its imaging characteristics and differential diagnoses. We compared the clinical presentation and imaging features of our case with those of previously reported cases in the review of the literature.

Hibernoma is a rare benign tumor that arises from vestiges of brown fat. Spinal intraosseous hibernoma has only recently been described in the literature, and only 12 cases have been reported to date due to its extreme rarity. Here, we report the case of a patient who was incidentally diagnosed with an intraosseous hibernoma in the thoracic spine, following a diverse imaging work-up and pathologic confirmation. We correlate the clinical presentation and imaging features of our case with those of previously reported cases during our review of the literature.

Purpose To determine the usefulness of diffusion weighted-MRI (DW-MRI) in the evaluation of spinal metastasis. Materials and Methods From July to August 2017, 48 whole-spine DW-MRI to detect metastasis in patients with extra-spinal tumors were retrospectively evaluated by three radiologists. The usefulness of DW-MRI was evaluated in four groups based on the change in confidence rating between two sessions: 1 (T1-and T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced images) and 2 (additional DW-MRI). The associations of the usefulness with age, sex, primary cancer, bone type with metastasis, number of probable metastatic segments in session 1, and anatomic locations were assessed in vertebral body and posterior element cases. Results According to the readers 1, 2, and 3, there were 18, 19, and 16 vertebral body cases, respectively, and 12, 13, and 9 posterior element cases, respectively. In the group with no excepted metastasis, DW-MRI was useful in 52-59% of vertebral body cases and 39-67% of posterior element cases. There were no significant differences in the usefulness with respect to the number of probable metastatic segments in session 1, age, sex, primary cancer, bone type with metastasis, or anatomic location. Conclusion DW-MRI could be used to evaluate spinal metastasis. However, there were no differences in the usefulness with respect to the anatomic location.

Purpose We retrospectively evaluated the technical success rate and long-term efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture followed by an intra-articular steroid injection at the post-laminectomy lumbar facet. Materials and Methods We selected subjects who had undergone a fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with simultaneous intra-articular steroid injection within 6 months of MRI and demonstrated a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst at the level of a previous lumbar laminectomy. Fourteen patients were enrolled, and we determined whether cyst rupture and symptom improvement were achieved after each procedure. The degrees of symptom improvement were categorized into 4: 1) symptoms improved (30% or more reduction, based on pre-procedural and post-procedural Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores), 2) symptoms not improved, 3) patient underwent surgery after injection, and 4) loss of follow-up. Results The success rate of percutaneous synovial cyst rupture decreased with repeated procedures (62.5% for the first procedure and 0% to 33.3% for additional procedures). However, 80% of the patients had symptom improvement with the procedures, overall. The surgery rate was 14.3% in 14 patients. Conclusion For patients with post-laminectomy symptomatic lumbar facet joint synovial cysts, fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with intra-articular steroid injection may be an effective and less invasive treatment before considering a surgical approach.

Purpose To describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 10 cases of Toxocara canis myelitis and to analyze these findings to aid in the diagnosis of this condition. Materials and Methods From June 2015 to March 2018, we retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records and MR images of patients who were diagnosed with Toxocara canis myelitis. The analysis of the MR images was based on a discussion between an experienced spinal radiologist and a radiology resident. Results This study classified MRI findings into the following two types. Type 1 was defined as central and diffuse T2 high signal intensity on the axial plane, which was observed in 50% of all cases. All lesions showed avid enhancement, mostly in the posterolateral or posterior region (4 cases, 80%). Type 2 was defined as wedge-shaped or focal T2 high signal intensity in the posterolateral or posterior region and corresponded to the remaining 50% of the cases. In this case, the extent of the lesion was relatively small and contrast enhancement was observed in only one case. Conclusion This study revealed that various imaging findings could be observed in cases of Toxocara canis myelitis, and the findings were classified into two types.