臂丛神经节前损伤的脊髓造影多层螺旋CT诊断

目的探讨脊髓造影多层螺旋CT(CTM)诊断臂丛神经节前损伤的可行性。方法 8例臂丛神经损伤患者术前行多层螺旋CTM检查。应用曲面重组获得冠状位图像和轴位图像观察神经根损伤情况,并与手术探查结果相对照.结果多层螺旋CTM能清晰显示正常神经根的前后支。臂丛神经损伤的主要征象包括椎管内脊髓神经前后支充盈缺损的缺失、创伤性脊膜囊肿、脊髓移位。CTM表现与手术探查所见一致。结论多层螺旋CTM可清晰显示臂丛神经椎管内的前后支,对椎管内根丝的损伤能进行准确的术前诊断。     

Spinal stenosis subsequent to juvenile lumbar osteochondrosis

This paper describes eight patients with spinal stenosis associated with marked osteochondrous changes in the vertebral bodies due to juvenile lumbar osteochondrosis (Scheuermann's disease). In no case was the midsagittal or interpedicular diameter of the spinal canal indicative of bony stenosis. On the other hand, in the myelograms the sagittal diameter of the dural sac was in all cases significantly narrowed, a diagnostic sign of central spinal stenosis. Therefore, myelography should always be contemplated when osteochondrous changes are present and spinal stenosis is suspected clinically regardless of whether the spinal canal diameters are normal in plain films.     

Chronic Focal Seizure Disorder as a Manifestation of Intracranial Iophendylate

A 46-year-old woman developed focal seizures 10-15 years following iophendylate myelography. Focal epileptogenic abnormalities on electroencephalogram corresponded to the localization of residual iophendylate in the right sylvian fissure. Intracranial iophendylate may have produced chronic meningeal reaction leading to cortical irritation and a chronic seizure disorder.     

Percutaneous needle evaluation of intradural extramedullary lesions of the lumbar spine

Summary A total of eight patients in whom five intradural extramedullary lesions and three epidural lesions were present were evaluated by percutaneous needle biopsy. In four patients the level of aspiration biopsy was determined using the initial myelogram and in those patients fluoroscopic guided percutaneous needle biopsies were performed. Three of these patients had large intradural extramedullary masses (above 1 cm); one patient had an epidural lesion. Diagnostic material was obtained in all cases (medulloblastoma, astrocytoma, small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma). Immediate post procedure CT and clinical followup showed no complications. In three patients with small lesions (below 1 cm), post myelographic CT was used to determine the level of aspiration. Post myelographic CT showed an intradural extramedullary mass in one patient and epidural lesions in two cases. Plain CT showed a high attenuation lesion in one patient. CT guided percutaneous needle biopsies in these four patients yielded diagnostic specimens (neurofibroma, uroepithelial carcinoma, hematoma, Thorotrast deposit). Clinical follow up showed no complications. Our experience indicates that percutaneous needle biopsy of intradural extramedullary and epidural lesions of the lumbar spine is safe and efficacious. Depending upon the size of the lesions, myelography or CT can be utilized to determine the level of aspiration.     

Thoracic intradural arachnoid cyst: possible pitfalls with myelo-CT and MR

Summary A thoracic intradural arachnoid cyst presenting as an intradural extramedullary mass highly suggestive of psammoma on myelogram and myelo-CT is reported in a 34-year-old female. High densities of the cyst were related to collection of contrast media within the cyst. However MR examination of the thoracic spinal cord including sagittal T1 (without and with contrast) and T2 studies failed to demonstrate the mass. Lack of MR changes were related on one hand to the small size of the cyst and to the absence of mass effect on the spinal cord, and on the other hand to a CSF-like signal of the contents of the cyst. Only combination of myelography, myelo-CT and MR allows precise diagnosis of small intradural arachnoid cysts; however MR is the method of choice for evaluation of large intradural subarachnoid cysts.     

Encapsulated epidural catheter

Summary A case where an encapsulated permanent epidural catheter for continuous analgesia caused pressure on the dural sac is presented. The clinical findings and postmyelographic computerised tomography (CT) imitated an epidural metastasis, until an epidurography via the epidural catheter revealed its true nature.     

Theory and practice: how much contrast for myelography?

Summary A questionnaire sent to members of the British Society of Neuroradiologists revealed that the majority of practitioners will, when necessary, inject more than 3 g of iodine during myelography with iohexol or iopamidol. The 3 g limit recommended by the contrast medium manufacturers is not based upon scientific studies involving these media, and it is the experience of British neuroradiologists that larger amounts of modern contrast agents can be used without an increase in post myelography complications. There is, therefore, a need for a controlled trial to assess the question of the most appropriate dose of contrast medium in myelography.     

Meningoceles and the tethered cord syndrome

This study shows that there is a relationship between simple meningocele and the tethered cord syndrome. Two groups of patients were examined: the first comprised patients presenting with neurological abnormality at some period after initial closure of a simple meningocele, and the second group (18 patients) had elective myelography after closure of a simple meningocele in the neonatal period (in 17 of the 18 cases). Of these 18 cases, 10 showed an intradural abnormality, and all underwent surgery confirming their myelographic diagnosis. The conclusion is drawn that after closure of a simple meningocele in the neonatal period, patients should have elective myelography in the first 12 months of life to determine whether or not the tethered cord syndrome is likely to develop during the period of growth.     

Myelography — a case for audit

Summary The radiographic findings and clinical outcome of 54 patients having a myelogram at the request of the Department of Rheumatology over a period of five years are described. Fortynine of the patients had either clinical features of an intervertebral disc protrusion or chronic back pain of obscure aetiology. Abnormalities which could have accounted for the symptoms and signs were found in 28 of these. Although useful information was obtained in regard to therapy the investigation did not lead to surgical treatment in any of the patients without clinical evidence of lumbar root compression. No unexpected malignancies were found. Morbidity was common, but usually mild.