A case of primary central nervous system lymphoma with the onset of impotence]

A 51-year-old man suffered from impotence for 10 months. Five months before he developed difficulty in urination and walking because of his both leg weakness. He was admitted to the hospital because of urinary incontinence, paraplegia and occipital headache. Neurologic examination revealed neck stiffness and Lhermitte's sign. The cranial nerves were intact with the exception of choked disc. He had weakness of lower extremities and right arm, and sensory loss on the right side including face. The plantar responses were extensor bilaterally. MR images revealed diffuse swelling in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord on a T 1-weighted image without enhancement by Gd-DTPA and diffuse high intensity of the spinal cord on a T 2-weighted image. MR image of the brain revealed the low intensity in the left temporal and occipital lobe with slightly enhancement by Gd-DTPA, the high intensity in the left temporal and occipital lobe white matter on a T 2-weighted image. Diagnosis of malignant lymphoma (B cell type) was made by brain biopsy. Combined chemotherapy was performed and his symptoms resolved and the lesions on MRI disappeared. The number of cases of primary spinal intramedullary malignant lymphoma was very rare and the majority of the cases had weakness or sensory impairment in the lower extremities in the initial symptoms. This is the first case which had impotence as the initial symptom. In addition, it must be taken into consideration of this disease when the patient has myelopathy with unknown etiology.     

脊髓转移瘤的MRI诊断

目的 探讨脊髓转移瘤(ISCM)的MRI特征及其病理机制,以提高对该病的认识.方法 搜集15例经手术病理证实及临床确诊的ISCM,回顾性分析其MRI表现.全部病例均行MRI平扫及钆喷替酸葡甲胺(Gd-DTPA)增强扫描.结果 15例转移瘤均为单发,位于颈髓3例,胸髓5例,胸腰段脊髓圆锥部7例.MRI表现:T1WI呈等信号12例,低信号3例;T2WI呈高信号14例.等信号1例;增强扫描肿瘤均呈明显强化,7例呈环形强化,4例结节状强化,4例不均匀强化.结论 ISCM的特征性MRI表现为脊髓内明显强化的环形或结节状病灶,结合临床病史可以明确诊断.     

Intradural extramedullary tumor of lower spinal cord in a 89-year-old man with cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis

A 89-year-old man was admitted because of slowly progressive gait disturbance during these several years. Neurological examination revealed paraparesis with bilateral sensory disturbance in the lower extremities, more severely on the left side. Vibration sense was almost completely disturbed under the level of bilateral crista iliaca. Deep tendon reflexes decreased in the lower extremities. No urinary incontinence was observed. The narrow spinal canal and cervical spondylosis were seen at the C 5-6 level, showing the anterior-posterior distance of 10 mm. Computed tomography of the lumbar spine showed spondylolisthesis between the level 4 and 5. CSF showed high protein concentration (300 mg/dl), whereas normal cell counts. These findings suggested the following two possibilities; cervical myelopathy associated with the disturbance of the cauda equina due to lumbar spondylolisthesis, or the disturbance at the lower thoracic or upper lumbar level of spinal cord. The spinal MRI revealed the irregular mass lesion in the lower spinal cord at the level of spine Th 11-12 on T2 weighted images, with enhancement by Gd-DTPA on T1 weighted images. These MRI findings suggested the intradural extramedullary tumor, such as benign neurinoma or meningioma. No clear cut lesions were found at the cervical spinal cord or at the cauda equina. MRI was useful for the diagnosis of sites and lesions of spinal cord in the present case, whose neurological signs and symptoms could be explained by the coexistent cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis.     

Intracranial dural fistula as a cause of diffuse MR enhancement of the cervical spinal cord

Spinal MR findings are reported in a patient with progressive myelopathy and intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula draining into spinal veins. Associated with previously reported abnormalities on T1 weighted and T2 weighted images, postcontrast T1 weighted images disclosed diffuse intense enhancement of the cervical cord itself. This enhancement decreased after endovascular treatment.     

A case of spinal cord sarcoidosis with interesting MRI findings]

A case of spinal cord sarcoidosis was reported with special reference to MRI findings. A 15-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of gait disturbance for last six months. Neurological examination on admission showed spastic paraparesis and posterior column signs. MRI of the cervical spinal cord revealed diffuse swelling and low intensity signal in T1-weighted sequences, diffuse high intensity signal in T2-weighted, and multiple micro-nodular lesion in Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted. At first multiple sclerosis was suspected, although the data of cerebrospinal fluid was not suggestive. Four weeks after admission general fatigue, fever, cough, and headache appeared and the neurological symptoms got worse. Chest film and CT revealed diffuse small nodular shadows in the lung field. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT showed hepatosplenomegaly. The general condition became worse in spite of antibiotic and antituberculotic drug therapy, but remitted spontaneously in four weeks. MRI findings also exacerbated and improved during the same period, being compatible with neurological manifestations. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made by transbronchial lung biopsy which revealed sarcoid granuloma. Multiple small nodules on Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted MRI had not been reported in patient with spinal cord sarcoidosis.     

Spinal cord involvement revealing systemic sarcoidosis

Spinal neurosarcoidosis is rare (0.43 p. 100 of all sarcoidosis) and can be the initial manifestation of the disease. A 43-year-old right handed African man developed a progressive dorsal neck pain, slowly worsened paresthesia weakness in the legs and a gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord (sagittal T(1)- weighted image) revealed diffuse enlargement of the cord from C2 to T7 with intense intramedullary enhancement from C2 to T3 after administration of contrast material on sagittal T(1)- weighted image. Cranial MRI scan was normal. Radiographs of the chest revealed bilateral symmetric hilar mediastinal lymphadenopathy with no pulmonary infiltrates. Bronchial biopsy demonstrated non caseating granulomas with langerhans giant cells. The serum angiotensin converting enzyme level was elevated. The patient received corticosteroid with good progressive response. His neurologic symptoms improved markedly and twenty months post-treatment MRI showed no abnormality on enhanced T(1)- weighted images. Two years later he had no relapse. Only 6 to 10 p. 100 of patients with neurosarcoidosis have spinal cord involvement, which may account for the first clinical manifestation of the disease. Most patients with neurosarcoidosis have associated extraneurologic abnormalities. The diagnosis is supported usually by extraneurologic biopsies. Spinal cord biopsy needs to be considered on case-by-case basis.     

High signal intensity on T1 weighted MRI of the anterolateral column of the spinal cord in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate MRI abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. METHODS: Fourteen patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis underwent MRI of the head and spinal cord using T1 and T2 weighted images. Forty age matched controls (29 with other neurological diseases, 11 with non-neurological diseases) underwent MRI of the cervical spinal cord using T1 and T2 weighted images. RESULTS: In all the control patients, the signal intensity of the posterior column was equal or slightly hypointense compared with the anterolateral column of the cervical spinal cord on T1 weighted images. However, eight of 14 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showed pronounced high signal intensity in the anterolateral column of the spinal cord on T1 weighted MRI, which also disclosed high signal intensity of the intracranial corticospinal tract in two of the 14 patients. T2 weighted MRI demonstrated high signal intensity of the lateral corticospinal tract of the spinal cord in two, high signal intensity of the intracranial corticospinal tract in five, and low signal intensity of the motor cortex in six of the 14 patients. Two of the 14 patients showed no abnormal findings on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: High signal intensity of the anterolateral column of the spinal cord of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a new imaging abnormality and may be useful for the diagnosis of this disease.     

MR imaging of the spinal cord--with special emphasis on the factors influencing spinal cord measurement]

On MR images the spinal cord is seen differently in size depending on imaging parameters and displaying window; consequently the findings may be interpreted erroneously as swelling or atrophy of the spinal cord. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate factors influencing spinal cord size on images and to determine the optimal condition estimating the size of the spinal cord. At first we selected 4 cases suspected of cervical spinal disorders which had been examined by both MRI and myelography with tomography. Sagittal diameter of the spinal cord was measured on a film and it was significantly different of those three. That is, the measurement value was greater on T1 weighted image (T1WI) and smaller on T2 weighted image (T2WI) than myelo-tomography. To evaluate the effect of imaging parameters, image reconstruction and image displaying window quantitatively, studied were the cadaveric cervical spinal cord and gelatin phantom tube with a diameter of 13 mm and 9 mm placed in a saline-filled plastic tube. The measurement value was significantly greater on T1WI and smaller on T2WI than true size of the objects. Numbers of phase encoding (128 and 256) significantly affected the measurement value, both on T1WI and T2WI, as well. Ringing artifact of high or low signal was observed at the boundary area of the objects and saline (so-called truncation artifact). However, when the window-level of displaying image was raised stepwisely the measurement value was proportionally decreased and it reached to real value when the level was adjusted at the mean MR signal intensity of the object and saline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Acute transverse myelitis in a 15-month-old girl: report of a case with MRI findings.

A 15-month-old girl demonstrated progressive weakness in all limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on admission revealed (1) diffuse and symmetric cervical cord swelling, (2) diffuse decrease and increase in signal intensity within the affected cord on T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively, (3) preserved anatomic structure of gray and white matter of the cord, and (4) lack of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhancing effect. She showed rapid clinical improvement in response to steroid therapy, and repeat MRI showed marked reduction in the degree of cord swelling and abnormal signal intensity. Based on the above clinical and MRI findings, the diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis was made. Although various pathologic conditions also could produce similar cord swelling and abnormal signal intensity on MRI, the third and fourth findings mentioned above suggested that the lesion was inflammatory rather than neoplastic. Our case indicates that MRI may be informative in differentiating acute transverse myelitis from other intramedullary disorders.     

A case of cervical myelopathy due to dural arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction]

A 70-year-old woman noted paresthesia ascending from both legs to her thighs 27 months previously. She also suffered from urinary urgency and incontinence. Thereafter, weakness in both legs developed and gradually became worse. At the time of admission, a neurological examination revealed diffuse atrophy and mild spasticity in all four extremities, bilateral mild weakness in both upper extremities, and severe weakness in both lower extremities. Her superficial sensation was moderately impaired below the Th 3 level on her right side, and below the Th 4 level on her left side along with a mildly decreased sense of vibration in her left leg. Marked hyperreflexia in all four extremities and bilateral pathological reflexes were also observed. Pollakisurea, urinary incontinence and constipation were also present. Cervical MRI showed a swelling of the spinal cord at the C3 to C7 levels. Inside the spinal cord, low signal intensity lesions were seen on the T1-weighted MRI, and high signal intensity lesions were observed on the T2-weighted MRI, and the rim of the cervical cord was also enhanced by gadolinium-DTPA. MR angiography revealed enlarged and tortuous vessels at the craniocervical junction, thus suggesting the presence of a dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF). Vertebral arteriography demonstrated abnormal vessels at the spinomedullary junction supplied by the right vertebral artery, which drained into the anterior and posterior spinal veins. After surgically treating the dural AVF, the swelling of the spinal cord, the abnormal signals on MRI, and the clinical symptoms all markedly improved. Although most of the spinal dural AVF were located at the thoracic and lumbar levels, the present case was considered to be a very rare case of dural AVF, since it was located at the craniocervical junction and thus led to the development of cervical myelopathy.     

A case of sarcoidosis with simultaneous involvement of the lower brainstem and the whole cervical cord and the extraocular muscles]

We report a 63-year-old woman with sarcoidosis which involved the spinal cord, lower brainstem and extraocular muscules simultaneously. In this patient, uveitis developed in 1991 and the skin lesion in 1992. A biopsy of the skin lesion showed changes consistent with sarcoidosis. The ocular and dermal symptoms improved with oral corticosteroid. In October 1997, she noted the left blepharoptosis and numbness of the hands. The MRI showed diffuse swelling of the lower brainstem and the cervical and upper thoracic cord. These lesions showed high intensity signal on T2WI and low intensity signal on T1WI. T1WI with contrast enhancement revealed localized enhancement within the spinal lesion at the C4/5 level. The ocular MRI showed swelling of the left superior rectus muscle and upper levator palpebral muscle. The steroid pulse therapy and subsequent oral administration of prednisolone markedly improved the clinical symptoms. MRI after treatment showed marked improvement of both the spinal cord and ocular muscle lesions. To our knowledge, the simultaneous occurrence of myelopathy and symptomatic extraocular musculopathy in the condition has not been reported previously.     

Idiopathic Hypertrophic Spinal Pachymeningitis with an Osteolytic Lesion

Idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (IHSP) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disorder characterized by marked fibrosis of the spinal dura mater with unknown etiology. According to the location of the lesion, it might induce neurologic deficits by compression of spinal cord and nerve root. A 58-year old female with a 3-year history of progressive weakness in both lower extremities was referred to our institute. Spinal computed tomography (CT) scan showed an osteolytic lesion involving base of the C6 spinous process with adjacent epidural mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural mass involving dorsal aspect of cervical spinal canal from C5 to C7 level, with low signal intensity on T1 and T2 weighted images and non-enhancement on T1 weighted-enhanced images. We decided to undertake surgical exploration. At the operation field, there was yellow colored, thickened fibrous tissue over the dura mater. The lesion was removed totally, and decompression of spinal cord was achieved. Symptoms improved partially after the operation. Histopathologically, fibrotic pachymeninges with scanty inflammatory cells was revealed, which was compatible with diagnosis of idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis. Six months after operation, motor power grade of both lower extremities was normal on physical examination. However, the patient still complained of mild weakness in the right lower extremity. Although the nature of IHSP is generally indolent, decompressive surgery should be considered for the patient with definite or progressive neurologic symptoms in order to prevent further deterioration. In addition, IHSP can present as an osteolytic lesion. Differential diagnosis with neoplastic disease, including giant cell tumor, is important.     

Pitfalls in MR imaging of neurological diseases]

MR imaging is useful for the diagnosis of neurological diseases but it has many pitfalls. The author presented one patient with syringobulbia of whom neurological examinations revealed lesions in the medulla. MR images showed slit-like lesions in the medulla and pontine tegmentum of which signal intensity was similar to that of cerebrospinal fluid. However, a sagittal scout image reveals syringomyelia in the upper cervical spinal cord that was important abnormal finding for the diagnosis of this case. In a case of hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis, neurological examinations showed right lower cranial palsies and MR images showed lesions along the right temporal bone with T1- and T2 shortening. After injection of the contrast medium, abnormal contrast enhancement was observed in the medial side of the lesions. In the anterior cranial fossa, however, the anterior falx was thick and it showed low signal on T2-weighted images and abnormal contrast enhancement. These findings of the falx indicated that the patient had hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis. It is important to see lesions which neurological examinations detect. However, all of the images must be seen, because in the distant location, the key findings for the diagnosis may be present.     

Extradural meningioma en-plaque of the cervical cord

A rare case of cervical extradural en-plaque meningothelial meningioma is reported. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extradural sheet of tumor encasing the cervical cord from anterior, posterior and right lateral aspects and emerging from the right C3-4 intervertebral foramina. Though a differential diagnosis of lymphoma and tubercular granulation tissue were considered, its isointense intensity patterns on T1 and T2 weighted images and the intratumoral calcification on intrathecal contrast computed tomographic scan suggested a meningioma. At surgery, the lesion was fibrous, avascular and densely adherent to the dura. The radiological features and management options of the lesion are discussed.     

A peculiar MRI findings in a case with slowly progressive cerebral ischemia caused by internal carotid artery stenosis possibly due to fibromuscular dysplasia]

A 47-year-old man developed progressive muscular weakness in the left arm. MR images revealed low intensity signal lesions with ring enhancement by Gd-DTPA in right fronto-parietal lobes. At that time cerebral angiography was not performed because he refused. A tuberculin skin test showed strongly positive reaction and then administration of anti-tuberculous drugs was started. His symptom had remained stable for one year, but left facial palsy and dysarthria added about two years later. MR images revealed expansion of the lesions in right parietal lobe, adding cortical high intensity signal lesions with Gd-DTPA enhancement on T1-weighted images. Angiography disclosed tubular stenosis of right internal carotid artery at the portion of cervical to petrous segment and the local stenosis at right renal artery. These lesions were considered to be caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, but not atherosclerosis, because we could not find any atherosclerotic lesions in other arteries including right carotid bifurcation. His manifesting symptoms were ascribed to slowly progressive cerebral ischemia. And peculiar MRI findings in his early stage resembled those of inflammatory granulomatous diseases.     

Neuroimaging of Tuberculous Myelitis: Analysis of Ten Cases and Review of Literature

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and neuroimaging features of 10 patients with tuberculous myelitis. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (70%) and paraplegia (60%). Bladder and bowel symptoms were present in 90% patients. On MRI, the involvement of the cervical/thoracic segment of the spinal cord was most commonly seen (90%). The most consistent finding was hyperintense signals on T2-weighted MRI. T1-weighted images showed isointense (n= 5) and hypointense (n= 4) signals in the spinal cord lesions. Post-contrast enhancement was present in 6 patients, epidural enhancement in 4 patients, and cord swelling in 2 patients. We reviewed more than 250 published cases with the diagnosis of tuberculous myelitis and radiculomyelitis with special attention to MRI findings. It is predominantly a disease of the thoracic spinal cord. Most spinal cord lesions appear as hyperintense on T2 and iso- or hypointense on T1-weighted images. MRI findings in patients with spinal cord tuberculosis have both diagnostic and prognostic significance. Cord atrophy or cavitation and the presence of syrinx on MRI may be associated with poor outcome.     

Delayed Diagnosis of Probable Radiation Induced Spinal Cord Vascular Disorders

Occasionally, unexpected neurological deficits occur after lumbar spinal surgery. We report a case of monoparesis after lumbar decompressive surgery. A 63-year-old man, who had undergone decompression of L4-5 for spinal stenosis 4 days previously in the other hospital, visted the emergency department with progressive weakness in the left leg and hypoesthesia below sensory level T7 on the right side. He had been cured of lung cancer with chemotherapy and radiation therapy 10 years previously, but detailed information of radiotherapy was not available. Whole spine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed fatty marrow change from T1 to T8, most likely due to previous irradiation. The T2-weighted MR image showed a high-signal T4-5 spinal cord lesion surrounded by a low signal rim, and the T1-weighted MR image showed focal high signal intensity with focal enhancement. The radiological diagnosis was vascular disorders with suspicious bleeding. Surgical removal was refused by the patient. With rehabilitation, the patient could walk independently without assistance 2 months later. Considering radiation induced change at thoracic vertebrae, vascular disorders may be induced by irradiation. If the spinal cord was previously irradiated, radiation induced vascular disorders needs to be considered.     

Assessment of spinal cord damage in MS using MRI

Spinal cord imaging is important in the evaluation of patients with MS. There are several techniques available which provide satisfactory images of lesions in the spinal cord. Conventional measures used in the assessment of damage to the spinal cord include quantification of: (1) high intensity on T2 weighted images; (2) spinal cord enhancement; and (3) spinal cord atrophy. Although not presently implemented, newer methods including magnetization transfer, diffusion, and proton spectroscopy offer the potential for more specific classification of spinal cord MS. Assessment of spinal cord damage using MR still remains behind the development of brain methodology and represents both a challenge and an opportunity.     

MRI in vitamin B12 deficiency myelopathy

BACKGROUND: Little is known about vitamin B12 deficiency myelopathy's magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations and their relationship to the onset, evolution, and resolution of neurologic signs and symptoms. METHODS: We present a case and review eleven additional reported cases of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord detected by MRI. RESULTS: Our patient had increased T2-weighted signal and gadolinium contrast enhancement of the posterior columns in the cervical and thoracic regions and enhancement of the lateral columns in the high cervical region. This is a case with imaging evidence for lateral column lesions. Two prior reports have shown posterior column enhancement. T1-weighted images may show decreased signal in the posterior columns and sometimes demonstrate reversible spinal cord swelling. MRI abnormalities typically improve after vitamin replacement therapy. However, clinical signs may persist despite resolution of imaging abnormalities, and these abnormalities do not always resolve completely. In addition, symptoms may precede the imaging abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 deficiency may produce an increased T2-weighted signal, decreased T1-weighted signal, and contrast enhancement of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord, mainly of the cervical and upper thoracic segments. Because the symptoms may precede any imaging abnormality, it is clear that spinal cord MRI may not be a highly sensitive, early test for subacute combined degeneration.     

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis affecting medulla and upper cervical cord--comparison of the clinical signs and MRI findings

Correlation of MRI abnormalities and clinical manifestations was studied in a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. A 54-year-old man developed Brown-Séquard syndrome affecting the right upper cervical cord, bilateral bulbar palsy, right Horner syndrome, and rotatory nystagmus. After the admission, right facial numbness and weakness of left upper and lower limbs were added. He was treated with glucocorticosteroid successfully. Painful tonic seizures of left upper and lower limbs were noted in the convalescence. T1-weighted MRI of the brain and spinal cord revealed low signal intensity areas in the medulla oblongata and right upper cervical cord. T2-weighted images showed a high signal intensity in the same areas. The distribution of MRI abnormalities well corresponded to the clinically expected lesions. The MRI abnormalities gradually decreased and disappeared with his recovery. The MRI abnormalities appeared to reflect edema accompanying the acute inflammatory process. MRI seems to be a very useful test for verifying lesions in the brainstem and spinal cord in a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.