Spinal MR findings in continuous epidural analgesia without infection

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spinal epidural abscesses are major complications of epidural anesthesia, and their MR features have been reported. In patients receiving continuous infusion via an epidural catheter, MR findings may mimic those of spinal epidural abscess in the absence of infection. The purpose of this study was to assess the spinal MR findings associated with continuous epidural anesthesia. METHODS: Spinal MR findings in five consecutive patients receiving continuous epidural anesthesia were retrospectively evaluated. Axial and sagittal T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted spin-echo images were obtained. Infection was ruled out on microbiologic analysis three patients and on follow-up in two. Each lesion was evaluated for its MR signal intensity, location, extent, delineation, and enhancement pattern. In three patients, follow-up MR imaging was performed within 5-150 days, and the images were compared. RESULTS: Posterior epidural lesions were identified in all five patients. The lesions were isointense to hypointense relative to the spinal cord on T1-weighted images, isointense relative to CSF on T2-weighted images, and well enhanced on enhanced T1-weighted images. The anomalous enhancement involved two to seven vertebral bodies. In one patient, the enhanced lesion slightly compressed the spinal cord. On follow-up MR imaging, the epidural lesions decreased in two patients and did not change in one. CONCLUSION: Continuous epidural anesthesia can result in MR findings similar to those of epidural abscess, even in the absence of infection.     

Magnetic resonance imaging spectrum of spinal meningioma

PurposeTo evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of spinal meningioma and to determine the radiological subtypes based on the MR imaging findings and their respective clinical features.Material and methodsData for 105 patients with surgically treated and histopathologically diagnosed spinal meningiomas at our hospital between May 1, 2003 and May 1, 2017 were evaluated in this study. Two radiologists reviewed the characteristics of spinal meningiomas on MR images and categorized the spinal meningiomas into subtypes based on MR imaging findings.ResultsMost spinal meningiomas showed higher signal intensity than that of the spinal cord but lower than that of the subcutaneous fat on T2-weighted images (WI). 56 cases (54%) showed adjacent spinal cord signal changes. Meningiomas could be categorized according to MR imaging findings into type A: dural-based tumors with a homogeneous signal intensity and intense contrast enhancement (81 cases, 77%); type B: round or oval-shaped tumors with an internal hypointense portion on T2-weighted images (18 cases, 17%); type C: en plaque tumors (three cases, 3%); and type D: tumors with unusual findings and a heterogeneous appearance (three cases, 3%). All type C patients showed spinal cord signal changes.ConclusionsSpinal meningioma showed slightly high signal intensity rather than high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Spinal cord signal changes were present in more than half of the cases. Clinical differences were observed among the different MR imaging types.     

脊髓亚急性联合变性的MRI诊断要点分析

目的分析脊髓亚急性联合变性(SCD)的MRI诊断要点。资料与方法回顾性分析15例临床确诊SCD的病人临床及MRI资料,分析其脊髓MRI表现特点,统计分析SCD病人受累脊髓节段数与血清VB12水平、发病时间的相关性。结果 15例SCD病人均于横断面影像上显示颈胸段脊髓对称性等或长T1、长T2信号,13例病变主要位于颈胸段水平脊髓后索,2例同时累及后索、侧索及前索。但于横断面T2WI上颈段与胸段脊髓异常信号形态各具特点。颈段脊髓受累时于横断面T2WI上呈脊髓内"倒V"形或"反兔耳"形的对称性高信号。胸段脊髓受累时于横断面T2WI上呈脊髓内"哑铃"形的对称性高信号。统计学分析显示15例SCD病人脊髓受累节段数与血清VB12水平呈负相关,而与病程长短无相关性。结论脊髓MR成像对于SCD脊髓疾病的诊断有重要价值。     

Magnetic resonance study of lesions of the cervical spinal cord in multiple sclerosis

Lesions consistent with demyelinating plaques were retrospectively identified in the cervical spinal cord of 15/49 patients (31%) with multiple sclerosis examined with cranial and cervical MR imaging. The lesions appeared as hyperintense areas on proton-density and T2-weighted images. Clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of spinal cord location of the demyelinating plaques were observed in 14 of the 15 patients presenting with spinal cord lesions at MR, and also in 11 of the 34 patients with negative MR findings. In 2 patients the cervical lesion was not associated with brain lesions at MR, while in 1 patient it was associated with medullary dilatation. Serial MRs revealed disappearance of the cervical hyperintense area in both patients, and reduction in medullary volume in the latter. Therefore, MR imaging of the cervical spinal cord is suggested as an useful examination in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis, particularly in those presenting with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of spinal cord involvement.     

Acute spontaneous spinal epidural hematomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although previous reports have characterized MR imaging features of spinal epidural hematomas (EDH), few cases have been reported during the acute or hyperacute phase within the first 48 hours. Our goal in this investigation was to correlate the MR imaging features of acute (< or =48 hours) spontaneous EDH with clinical management and outcome. METHODS: Eight patients with acute spontaneous EDH (five men and three women; age range, 31-81 years) underwent MR imaging at 1.5 T (T1-weighted, n = 8; T1-weighted after the administration of 0.1 mmol/kg contrast material, n = 6; T2-weighted, n = 8; and T2-weighted, n = 4). The interval from symptom onset to hospital admission ranged from immediate to 5 days. Two neuroradiologists reviewed the MR images for signal characteristics, contrast enhancement, and cord compression. Treatment and clinical outcome were correlated with the imaging findings. RESULTS: The EDH were located in the cervical (n = 3), cervicothoracic (n = 2), thoracolumbar (n = 2), and lumbar (n = 1) regions. On T1-weighted images, the signal intensity of the EDH was isointense to spinal cord in five cases, hyperintense in two cases, and hypointense in one case and did not correlate with time to imaging. Isointensity on T1-weighted images persisted for 5 days in one case. On T2-weighted images, all EDHs were hyperintense with focal, heterogeneous hypointensity. Cord compression was severe in six patients, moderate in one patient, and minimal in one patient. Four cases were treated conservatively with complete resolution or improvement of symptoms within 1 to 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: MR imaging findings were useful in establishing the diagnosis of EDH but did not influence management or predict outcome in this series. Heterogeneous hyperintensity to cord with focal hypointensity on T2-weighted images should suggest the diagnosis of acute spinal EDH. Severity of neurologic impairment had the greatest impact on management and outcome. Nonoperative treatment may be successful in cases with minimal neurologic deficits, despite cord compression revealed by MR imaging.     

脊髓室管膜下瘤的MR影像诊断

目的 研究脊髓内室管膜下瘤的MRI特征。方法 4例脊髓室管膜下瘤均行MR检查并经手术病理证实，均为男性，年龄15—47岁，平均36．3岁。回顾性分析脊髓内室管膜下瘤的MRI表现，结合术中所见总结MRI诊断与鉴别诊断要点。结果 4例脊髓内室管膜下瘤分别位于C3～T3、C2～6、T6～12、C1—T2段脊髓，肿瘤均位于脊髓腹侧，呈偏中心性生长。1例有轻度脊髓空洞。MR T1WI为等或低信号，信号不均，内有更低信号；T2WI为高信号。2例伴有小出血灶。增强扫描，3例肿瘤无强化或强化轻微，1例强化明显。结论 MRI可以很好评价脊髓内室管膜下瘤，当患者具备上述特点时高度提示脊髓内室管膜下瘤的可能。     

Epidural abscess of the cervical spine: MR findings in five cases.

Cervical epidural abscess is an uncommon infectious process of the spinal epidural space. Although this disorder is often unsuspected clinically, the patient's signs and symptoms may suggest other diagnoses that frequently lead to an MR examination. We retrospectively reviewed the MR examinations of five patients with surgically proved cervical epidural abscess in order to assist in the diagnosis of this clinically elusive disorder. Each epidural abscess was evaluated for MR signal intensity, location, extent, delineation, and enhancement pattern. We assessed the spinal cord for compression and signal intensity and analyzed the vertebrae, intervertebral disks, and paraspinal soft tissue. Compared with the spinal cord, the abscess was isointense or hypointense on T1-weighted spin-echo images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. The abscess was hyperintense or isointense relative to the cord on T2* gradient-echo images. Enhancement of the abscess occurred in the two patients given an IV injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. The epidural abscess was located anteriorly in three patients, posteriorly in one, and was circumferential in one. The abscess extended from two to nine vertebral bodies in length. In each case, the abscess caused some degree of spinal cord compression, and one patient had bright signal intensity within the cord on T2-weighted images. Three patients had MR changes of accompanying osteomyelitis and paravertebral abscess. MR imaging is useful in diagnosing cervical epidural abscess and in evaluating associated abnormality of the spinal cord, vertebral bodies, intervertebral disks, and paraspinal soft tissue.     

Spinal intradural extramedullary capillary hemangioma: MR imaging findings

SUMMARY: Spinal intradural extramedullary capillary hemangiomas are extremely rare. We present the MR imaging and histologic findings in three patients with this abnormality. The three patients were men who had symptoms of either myelopathy (n = 2) or radiculopathy (n = 1). The tumors were well demarcated, 1.5-2.0 cm in diameter, and were located at the posterior or posterolateral portion of the thecal sac (one at the L1 level and the other two at the midthoracic level). On MR images, the tumor showed isointensity relative to the spinal cord on T1-weighted images, hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, and strong homogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in all three patients. In two patients, the dural tail sign was observed. Capillary hemangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a spinal intradural extramedullary tumor.     

Spinal cord tumors: gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging

Summary To assess the utility of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd) and of MR imaging in the evaluation of spinal cord tumors, ten consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated. T1-proton density-, and T2-weighted images were obtained in sagittal or axial planes. T1-weighted images were obtained before and after intravenous administration. Five tumors were within the cervical spinal cord; 3 neoplasms were within the thoracic cord; 1 neoplasm extended from the cervical to the thoracic cord and 1 neoplasm extended from the cervical cord to the conus medullaris. Four tumors were ependymomas; 3 were astrocytomas; 1 was an hemangioblastoma, and 1 was a metastatic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The remaining patient died prior to spinal surgery and no autopsy was obtained. Of theprecontrast sequences, tumors were best evaluated using T1-weighted images. Abnormal findings included cord widening, presence of a tumor mass, intratumoral or other associated cyst(s), and hemorrhage. Nevertheless, T1-weighted images obtainedfollowing the administration of GD were superior relative to all other pre- and post-contrast sequences for defining tumor margins, characterizing cyst(s) and delineating tumor masses. Based primarily on their appearance on post-contrast T1-weighted images, tumor-associated cysts could be subcategorized into 3 types: intratumoral cysts (foundwithin the contrast-enhancing soft tissue mass); nonenhancing extratumoral cysts (found either rostral or caudal to the enhancing tumor mass); and enhancing extratumoral cysts (having an enhancing wall or containing an enhancing nodule). Our results indicate that T1-weighted MR images obtained both before and after administration of Gd are sufficient for characterizing the varying components of intramedullary spinal cord tumors. This information assists in treatment planning and follow-up of patients with these tumors.Presented in abstract form at meetings of the American Academy of Neurology, Chicago, Illinois, April, 1989     

Acute cervical spine trauma: evaluation with 1.5-T MR imaging

Twenty-one patients with acute neurologic deficits following cervical spine trauma were evaluated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (n = 21), computed tomography enhanced with intrathecal contrast material (CT myelography) (n = 18), myelography (n = 13), cervical spine radiography (n = 21), and intraoperative sonography (n = 7). MR imaging proved superior to other modalities in demonstrating parenchymal spinal cord injuries and cervical intervertebral disk herniation. Although both T1- and T2-weighted studies appear necessary to evaluate the anatomic relationship of the spinal cord, thecal space, intervertebral disks, and surrounding osseous and ligamentous structures, T2-weighted sequences were more sensitive than T1-weighted studies for detection of spinal cord injury. CT myelography was superior to MR imaging in demonstrating cervical spine fractures. In most cases, myelography revealed no information that was not apparent from both CT and MR imaging studies. Preliminary experience with MR imaging of acute cervical spine trauma suggests that it should be the study of choice in symptomatic patients who are otherwise clinically stable. CT may still be required in selected patients to evaluate complex fractures.     

Acute spinal cord injury: magnetic resonance imaging correlated with myelopathy

Thirty-one patients (29 males and two females, 13-87 years of age (mean, 46.7 years] with acute spinal cord injury were studied by MR (magnetic resonance) imaging and the results were correlated with neurological findings. Magnetic resonance images were obtained with a 0.5 T superconductive MR scanner (Phillips Gyroscan S5). Initial imaging was performed within 24 hours after trauma in 13 patients, 1-7 days in 13 patients and 7-14 days in five patients. Twenty-six patients underwent follow-up examinations with MR imaging. Cord abnormalities including cord compression (23 patients), cord swelling (seven patients), and abnormal signal intensities on either T1 or T2-weighted images (26 patients) were observed on initial examination. Multivariate analysis showed that cord compression and abnormal intensities on T1-weighted images were important prognostic indicators. Hyperintensity on T2-weighted images was non-specific but correlated well with clinical recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful in predicting the prognosis and for planning treatment following spinal cord injuries.     

MRI of syphilitic myelitis

Summary MR imaging was performed on a patient with syphilitic myelitis. T2-weighted images showed high intensity areas in the thoracic spinal cord. On T1-weighted images after gadolinium-DTPA injection, heterogeneous enhancement was observed in the superficial portion of the spinal cord. The intramedullary high intensity areas on T2-weighted images disappeared after antibiotic therapy.     

MR imaging of spinal lymphoma.

Fourteen patients with spinal lymphoma examined by MR imaging were reviewed. Thirteen of them also had extraspinal lymphoma. Vertebral involvement was found in 12 patients, epidural in 10, and paraspinal in 8 patients. On the basis of MR imaging at 0.3 T, spinal lymphoma may be divided into three types of growth pattern according to the main location: paraspinal, vertebral, and epidural. Most frequently, all three locations were found simultaneously on MR (7/14). In one patient the location was vertebral with epidural extension, in one paraspinal with vertebral extension, in 3 it was entirely vertebral, and in 2 entirely epidural. Multiple plane T1-weighted imaging gave complete information about the extent of spinal lymphoma. The signal intensity was lower than or equal to muscle and lower than bone marrow in paraspinal and vertebral lesions on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images. Epidural lesions showed a hypo- or isointense signal relative to the cord on T1-weighted images except in one case and a hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images. Compression of the cord and cauda equina due to bulging of diseased vertebral bodies and epidural lesions was well demonstrated. MR imaging was also found useful in the follow-up of treatment.     

亚急性联合变性颈髓的磁共振成像表现

目的分析亚急性联合变性颈髓的磁共振成像表现特点,提高对该病的认识.方法收集临床确诊亚急性联合变性累及颈髓的患者5例,回顾性分析其磁共振成像表现,并复习相关临床及文献资料.结果5例患者磁共振成像均显示颈髓不同程度的后、侧索长T2信号,其颈髓正中矢状位T2加权图像均呈连续束带状异常信号;4例行钆喷替酸葡甲胺增强扫描,其中2例可见条片状强化.结论亚急性联合变性的颈髓矢状位束带状改变有比较典型的特点,磁共振成像是诊断该病的重要手段.     

Which MR Imaging Sequences Are Necessary in Determining the Need for Radiation Therapy for Cord Compression? A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To determine which MR imaging sequences are necessary to assess for spinal metastases. METHODS: Hypothetical MR imaging interpretations and management plans were made prospectively for consecutive adult cases acquired retrospectively. Standardized MR imaging protocols were independently interpreted by 2 neuroradiologists. MR imaging protocol types varied: 1) T1-weighted images only; 2) T1-weighted and T2-weighted images; 3) T1-weighted and postcontrast T1-weighted images; and 4) T1- and T2-weighted images and postcontrast T1-weighted images. Hypothetical management plans were created by 2 radiation oncologists. Logit model was used to investigate the effect of MR imaging protocol type on the probability of recommending radiation therapy (RT). Mixed effect models were used to investigate whether median spinal level or total number of spinal levels of planned RT was associated with MR imaging protocol type. RESULTS: Thirty-one subjects were evaluated, each with multiple scan interpretations. Logit model showed that neither MR imaging protocol type nor neuroradiologist reader affected the probability that the oncologist would recommend RT (all P > .50). Mixed models showed that neither ML nor NL was affected by MR imaging protocol type or by neuroradiologist reader (all P > .12). CONCLUSION: Although MR imaging is known to be the most useful diagnostic test in suspected spinal cord compression, which particular MR images are necessary remain unclear. Compared with T1-weighted images alone, the additional use of T2-weighted and/or postcontrast T1-weighted sequences did not significantly affect the probability that RT would be recommended or the levels that would be chosen for RT in our study. Our data suggest that unenhanced T1-weighted images may be sufficient for evaluation of possible cord compression.     

Chronic injuries of the spinal cord: assessment with MR imaging

Seventy-six patients with persistent myelopathy secondary to chronic spinal cord injuries underwent examination with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the results of which were correlated with neurologic findings. Twenty-one patients received follow-up study during and after the acute stage; 55 patients were examined only at a chronic stage. Spinal cord abnormalities were seen in 48 patients according to five patterns: (a) normal signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images (pattern N/N, n = 28), (b) normal signal intensity on T1-weighted and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (pattern N/Hi, n = 18), (c) hypointensity on T1-weighted and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images (pattern Lo/Hi, n = 17), (d) cord atrophy (n = 5), and (e) longitudinal syrinx formation with hypointensity on T1- and hyperintensity or isointensity on T2-weighted images (n = 8). Patients with pattern N/N had only slight neurologic damage and an excellent prognosis. Patients with pattern N/Hi had mild neurologic impairment, frequently associated with cord compression. Patients with pattern Lo/Hi had the worst prognosis. Atrophy was observed in patients with a long history of myelopathy.     

Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine: a prospective comparison of fast T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and T1-weighted turbo spin echo MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: To compare fast T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T1-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging of the degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients (19 females, 16 males; mean age 41 years, range 31-67 years) with suspected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were prospectively evaluated. Sagittal images of the lumbar spine were obtained using T1-weighted TSE and fast T1-weighted FLAIR sequences. Two radiologists compared these sequences both qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: On qualitative evaluation, CSF nulling, contrast at the disc-CSF interface, the disc-spinal cord (cauda equina) interface, and the spinal cord (cauda equina)-CSF interface of fast T1-weighted FLAIR images were significantly higher than those for T1-weighted TSE images (P<0.001). On quantitative evaluation of the first 15 patients, signal-to-noise ratios of cerebrospinal fluid of fast T1-weighted FLAIR imaging were significantly lower than those for T1-weighted TSE images (P<0.05). Contrast-to-noise ratios of spinal cord/CSF and normal bone marrow/disc for fast T1-weighted FLAIR images were significantly higher than those for T1-weighted TSE images (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Results in our study have shown that fast T1-weighted FLAIR imaging may be a valuable imaging modality in the armamentarium of lumbar spinal T1-weighted MR imaging, because the former technique has definite superior advantages such as CSF nulling, conspicuousness of the normal anatomic structures and changes in the lumbar spinal discogenic disease and image contrast and also almost equally acquisition times.     

Spinal cord pial metastases: MR imaging with gadopentetate dimeglumine

The purpose of this investigation was to describe gadopentetate-dimeglumine-enhanced MR findings in metastatic disease to the pial lining of the spinal cord. Correlation was made with clinical data, other radiologic studies, and pathologic findings. Eighty-six patients with a known malignancy and unexplained neurologic signs or symptoms were studied with pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted images. In seven of these patients, abnormal enhancement of the pial lining of the cord was seen on the sagittal postcontrast T1-weighted images. This appeared as a thin rim of enhancement along the surface of the cord in six patients and as a focal, thick rim of enhancement in addition to the thin rim of enhancement in the seventh patient. Axial images confirmed the location along the pial lining in each case. Precontrast T1-weighted images in all seven cases and precontrast T2-weighted images in five cases failed to detect any focal abnormalities of the pial lining of the cord. Pathologic confirmation was available in five of the seven patients. Primary malignancies in these patients included breast carcinomas (two), lymphoma (one), leukemia (one), adenocarcinoma of the lung (one), prostate carcinoma (one), and malignant melanoma (one). Three of seven patients had metastatic disease evident only within the CNS, while four patients had widespread disease outside the CNS. We conclude that contrast-enhanced MR imaging is useful in the diagnosis of pial spread of metastatic disease in patients with a known primary malignancy and unexplained neurologic signs or symptoms.     

Imaging of the spine and spinal cord

Recent technologic advances in MR imaging of the spine and spinal cord have been aimed at shortening examination time and suppressing artifacts. Gradient-recalled fast T2-weighted imaging is advocated for evaluating cervical radiculopathy. Better signal-to-noise ratios are achieved with three-dimensional Fourier transform gradient-recalled T2-weighted imaging and with decreased bandwidth acquisition. Obtaining high-contrast images of the spine is often complicated by the appearance of truncation artifacts. In outpatient radiculography, both iopamidol and iohexol appear safe, but iohexol seems better tolerated. In trauma, MR imaging is definitive, and signal abnormalities can help in evaluating neurologic recovery. Intraoperative spinal sonography may be helpful in evaluating acute injury. Enhancement with gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid is useful in the evaluation of disk space infections, osteomyelitis, and epidural abscess and in the study of spinal cord sarcoidosis. In patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, MR imaging may show hyperintense spine on T2-weighted images. MR imaging with gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid or gadolinium tetra-azacyclododecane tetra-acetic acid enhancement can be useful in evaluating intramedullary and intradural extramedullary tumors and for determining the extent of spinal leptomeningeal metastases. MR imaging can also be used to differentiate benign from pathologic fractures.