Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: MR findings.

The MR findings of a case with paraganglioma of the cauda equina are presented. T2-weighted images showed the tumor to have a hyposignal rim and serpiginous flow voids, suggesting vessels capping the tumor. Contrast-enhanced MR images highlighted the tumor and tumor vessels more clearly. Knowledge of MR findings in this unusual disorder may aid in diagnosis.     

MR imaging findings in cauda equina gnathostomiasis

We report a case of cauda equina syndrome caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum, which was confirmed by an immunoblotting test. MR imaging of the lumbosacral spine showed long, segmented hyperintensity along the cauda equina with irregular enhancement on the postcontrast study. The conus medullaris was slightly enlarged with abnormal enhancement. The patient was treated with corticosteroids, and her clinical condition improved. MR imaging, 9 months after treatment, showed the condition to be completely resolved.     

Paraganglioma of the cauda equina: magnetic resonance imaging

We report the clinical and imaging features of a paraganglioma of the cauda equina. Raised CSF protein caused an unusual appearance of the spinal canal below the obstruction. No specific identifying features were encountered; paraganglioma is uncommon in this site and usually thought to be an ependymoma or a neuroma; histopathological examination is necessary for correct diagnosis.     

MR of the cauda equina

To define the anatomy of the cauda equina nerve roots by MR imaging, the lower spine of 14 normal volunteers was imaged using a high-field surface-coil technique. A total of 56 sagittal and 56 axial MR sections (eight selected slices from each case) were correlated with undistorted anatomic sections from cadaver spine specimens, and the visualization of the nerve roots was assessed. In addition, MR images of three patients with infiltrating or seeding tumors affecting the cauda equina were analyzed. Seventy-eight percent of the MR sections from normal cases clearly showed the anatomy of the cauda equina nerve roots. The nerve roots were fairly shown in 17% of the sections; and false findings (presumably caused by CSF pulsation) were observed in the remaining 5%. Coronal imaging provided excellent anatomic views of the nerve roots within the intervertebral foramina. Morphologic alterations in the pathologic cases were correctly shown when both T1- and T2-weighted imaging were used. In conclusion, MR proved efficient in viewing the cauda equina region.     

Capillary hemangioma in the cauda equina: neuroradiological findings

Summary A case of capillary hemangioma of the cauda equina is reported. Myelography with water-soluble contrast material showed a complete obstruction of the contrast column at the L1–L2 level. Neither plain nor intravenously enhanced CT revealed the tumor. Spinal angiography showed a feeding vessel to the tumor and a faint tumor stain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass lesion of slightly higher than cauda equina intensity, which was clearly enhanced with Gd-DTPA. MRI, especially Gd-DTPA- enhanced study, plays the most important role in the diagnosis of a spinal capillary hemangioma. Spinal angiography was interesting in showing a tumour with a capillary blush.     

MR appearance of paraganglioma of the cauda equina. Case reports

Purpose:
To investigate the value of MR imaging for preoperative diagnosis of paraganglioma of the cauda equina.
Material and Methods:
A retrospective review of 2 cases of paraganglioma of the cauda equina examined with MR imaging was undertaken. Features assessed included the homogeneity of the lesions, presence or absence of serpiginous flow void and thin hypointense margins.
Results:
In case 1, the tumor was hyperintense on the postcontrast examination and serpiginous flow void suggested vessels in the upper pole of the tumor. In case 2, the tumor was encapsulated by a thin hypointense margin on both T1- and T2-weighted images, which suggested hemosiderin.
Conclusion:
The MR appearance may be of great value in the preoperative diagnosis of paraganglioma of the cauda equina.     

Case report: paraganglioma of the cauda equina.

The clinical, radiological and pathological features of a paraganglioma of the cauda equina are described, including magnetic resonance imaging features. The literature is reviewed and discussed.     

Primary lymphoma of the cauda equina: myelographic,CT myelographic,and MR appearance.

This case demonstrates the myelographic, CT myelographic, and MR appearance of primary lymphoma of the cauda equina. It also illustrates the utility of high-resolution CT myelography in certain lesions of the cauda equina. The authors feel that CT myelography, with its inherent ability to depict individual nerve roots and therefore any pathologic involvement as well, should be considered an adjunct to MR in imaging the cauda equina.     

Diffuse cranial nerve and cauda equina lesions associated with breast cancer

We report on the case of a patient with breast cancer with diffuse cranial nerve and cauda equina lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient's brain and spinal cord showed diffuse abnormal enhancement and slight enlargement of the cranial nerves and cauda equina. Although the results of subsequent testing for two antineural antibodies were negative, paraneoplastic sensorimotor neuropathy associated with breast cancer was considered to be the most likely clinical diagnosis.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina

BACKGROUNDRedundant nerve roots (RNRs) of the cauda equina are often a natural evolutionary part of lumbar spinal canal stenosis secondary to degenerative processes characterized by elongated, enlarged, and tortuous nerve roots in the superior and/or inferior of the stenotic segment. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings have been defined more frequently in recent years, this condition has been relatively under-recognized in radiological practice. In this study, lumbar MRI findings of RNRs of the cauda equina were evaluated in spinal stenosis patients.AIMTo evaluate RNRs of the cauda equina in spinal stenosis patients.METHODSOne-hundred and thirty-one patients who underwent lumbar MRI and were found to have spinal stenosis between March 2010 and February 2019 were included in the study. On axial T2-weighted images (T2WI), the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the dural sac was measured at L2-3, L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 levels in the axial plane. CSA levels below 100 mm² were considered stenosis. Elongation, expansion, and tortuosity in cauda equina fibers in the superior and/or inferior of the stenotic segment were evaluated as RNRs. The patients were divided into two groups: Those with RNRs and those without RNRs. The CSA cut-off value resulting in RNRs of cauda equina was calculated. Relative length (RL) of RNRs was calculated by dividing the length of RNRs at mid-sagittal T2WI by the height of the vertebral body superior to the stenosis level. The associations of CSA leading to RNRs with RL, disc herniation type, and spondylolisthesis were evaluated.RESULTSFifty-five patients (42%) with spinal stenosis had RNRs of the cauda equina. The average CSA was 40.99 ± 12.76 mm² in patients with RNRs of the cauda equina and 66.83 ± 19.32 mm² in patients without RNRs. A significant difference was found between the two groups for CSA values (P < 0.001). Using a cut-off value of 55.22 mm² for RNRs of the cauda equina, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) values of 96.4%, 96.1%, 89.4%, and 98.7% were obtained, respectively. RL was 3.39 ± 1.31 (range: 0.93-6.01). When the extension of RNRs into the superior and/or inferior of the spinal canal stenosis level was evaluated, it was superior in 54.5%, both superior and inferior in 32.8%, and inferior in 12.7%. At stenosis levels leading to RNRs of the cauda equina, 29 disc herniations with soft margins and 26 with sharp margins were detected. Disc herniation type and spondylolisthesis had no significant relationship with RL or CSA of the dural sac with stenotic levels (P > 0.05). As the CSA of the dural sac decreased, the incidence of RNRs observed at the superior of the stenosis level increased (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONRNRs of the cauda equina are frequently observed in patients with spinal stenosis. When the CSA of the dural sac is < 55 mm², lumbar MRIs should be carefully examined for this condition.     

MR imaging of the cauda equina in hereditary motor sensory neuropathies: correlations with sural nerve biopsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although spinal root abnormalities are known to occur, spinal MR examination is seldom performed in hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN). The following work was undertaken to assess the MR imaging spectrum of lumbosacral spinal nerve root abnormalities and determine whether intradural nerve root involvement could be related to any biopsy feature. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients (eight male, two female; age range, 28-65 yrs) with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) (type I = 5, type II = 2) and Déjèrine-Sottas disease (DSD) (n = 3) underwent a contrast-enhanced lumbosacral MR examination. Sural nerve biopsy was performed in all patients. Atypical clinical features were present in two patients. The MR scans of each patient were reviewed for possible causes of myeloradiculopathy, spinal nerve root and ganglia dimensions, signal change, and abnormal enhancement. RESULTS: In the seven patients with CMT, abnormal MR findings were intradural nerve root hypertrophy (n = 2), signal abnormalities (n = 2), and enhancement (n = 3). Two of three patients with DSD had the abnormal MR finding of intradural nerve root enhancement. In both patients with atypical clinical features, MR imaging showed nerve root hypertrophy and enhancement. Both findings were related to an increased number of onion bulbs at sural nerve biopsy. Inflammatory infiltrates were not observed in any patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with HMSN enhancement of intradural spinal nerve roots, whether or not associated with marked thickening, may be found on lumbosacral MR examinations. Spinal nerve root thickening may be responsible for atypical symptoms, and its visibility on MR images represents a useful adjunct to diagnosis. Lumbosacral spinal nerve root abnormalities were related to an extremely high number of onion bulbs (indicating active demyelination) at sural nerve biopsy. Nerve root enhancement does not seem to be related to inflammatory infiltrates.     

Craniospinal enterogenous cyst: MR findings

An enterogenous cyst of the craniocervical region producing anterior medullary compression is reported. The patient presented with quadriparesis with greater involvement of the upper limbs. Computed tomography showed a high attenuation intradural extramedullary mass located anteriorly. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a high intensity mass extending from the pontomedullary junction to the second cervical vertebra, flattening the medulla and upper cervical cord. Complete recovery ensued following total excision of the cyst.     

MR findings of intramedullary tumors]

Intramedullary tumors are relatively rare. In this review article, we describe the characteristic MR findings and differential diagnosis of three common intramedullary tumors: astrocytoma, ependymoma and hemangioblastoma. It is important preoperatively to differentiate ependymoma from astrocytoma, because ependymoma has a clear tumor margin, and therefore complete removal of the tumor can be achieved. Other intramedullary lesions that need to be differentiated from intramedullary tumors are also described.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the paranasal sinuses associated with fibrous dysplasia: CT and MR findings

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in the paranasal sinuses is rare with only four previous cases having been described in the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. This report describes a case of an ABC involving the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses as well as the upper nasal fossae. It is currently believed that a preexisting primary bone lesion, such as fibrous dysplasia, initiates an osseous arteriovenous fistula, which creates a secondary reactive lesion of bone, the ABC. These lesions, which are comprised of multiple cysts containing liquid blood and serous fluid, are optimally studied by a combination of CT and MR scans.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the temporal bone: MR findings.

MR findings in a case of aneurysmal bone cyst of the temporal bone are described. MR can suggest the diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst and also give ancillary information that is helpful for surgical treatment.     

Spinal cord and cauda equina MRI findings in metachromatic leukodystrophy: case report

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an autosomal recessive disease with well-documented intracranial findings on neuroimaging both by computed tomography (CT) and MRI. We describe the first case of late infantile MLD with spinal involvement revealed by MRI as marked contrast enhancement of nerve roots at the level of the cauda equina.     

Anterior coloboma with macrophthalmos and cyst: MR findings

Coloboma is one of the congenital ocular malformations presenting important diagnostic and therapeutic problems, especially in infants. Coloboma can be associated with microphthalmia frequently and macrophtalmia rarely. However, the association of coloboma, macrophthalmia, and orbital cyst was not reported previously in the literature. A case of coloboma associated with macrophtalmia and cyst was presented, and MR findings of this anomaly was defined with emphasis to the importance of radiologic examinations in the diagnosis of some congenital ocular malformations.     

Intracranial epidermoid cyst with hemorrhage: MR imaging findings

We present a case of a 28-year-old woman with a cerebellopontine angle and prepontine cistern epidermoid cyst with unusual signal intensity. She presented with cranial nerve neuropathy and unsteady gait. MR imaging showed a tumor mass with central area of hemorrhage and a focal area of heterogeneous signal intensity with spotty enhancement, which correlated histologically to old blood in a cystic lumen and granulation of a cystic wall, with a large area of hemorrhage and mild vascularity.