Magnetic resonance imaging of intramedullary spinal cord lesions: A pictorial review

Abstract

SummaryMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for the investigation of intramedullary lesions of the spinal cord. A wide variety of conditions may result in similar imaging findings on MRI, and it is essential that the reporting radiologist have a detailed understanding of spinal cord anatomy, the pertinent imaging features of specific intramedullary lesions and the typical clinical presentation of those conditions to aid clinicians to make a prompt diagnosis. This pictorial essay discusses the clinical features and MRI appearance of a number of intramedullary conditions, which can be broadly categorised as congenital, demyelinating, vascular, neoplastic or infectious, and highlights their differentiating features.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Myelopathy: 2021 Update

“…Primary and metastatic tumors of the spinal cord very rarely cause myelopathy and are best evaluated on contrastenhanced MRI of the spine [92][93][94][95][96]. The distinction of syrinx from tumor, location of small tumor nodules, extent of cyst, and distinction of nodule and cyst from edema are crucial in treatment planning for intramedullary disease and best delineated with MRI [9,97].…”

“…A variety of cysts and benign neoplasms can also compress the cord; they tend to arise within the intradural compartment. The most common of these are nerve sheath tumors, meningiomas, and arachnoid adhesions/cysts [4][5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Diagnostic value of 18F‑FDG PET/CT and MRI for intraspinal lesions: A comparative study

“…The two aforementioned examination techniques have unique advantages in the clinical diagnosis of benign and malignant intraspinal lesions. However, to date, to the best of our knowledge, comparative studies on PET/CT and MRI are limited (2,5). Thus, the aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the imaging data of 58 cases with lesions examined using sequential MRI and 18 F-FDG PET/CT scans in order to compare their value in the diagnosis and differentiation of intravertebral lesions.…”

Usefulness of laser-evoked potentials and quantitative sensory testing in the diagnosis of neuropathic spinal cord injury pain: a multiple case study

“…Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method of choice to diagnose spinal lesions in patients with SCI. 9 In fact, a small number of patients with clinical symptoms of traumatic myelopathy but no radiographic or computed tomographic features of SCI can be found. This constellation is called 'Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality' (SCIWORA) and its prevalence has been reported in children for 6-19% and in adults for 9-14%.…”