原发性椎管内淋巴瘤MRI探讨

目的：探讨原发性椎管内硬膜外淋巴瘤MRI表现。方法：收集经手术病理证实椎管内硬膜外淋巴瘤患者6例,对病例的MRI表现进行回顾性分析。结果：6例患者中,发生于胸椎5例、腰椎1例。MRI扫描显示肿瘤位于椎管内硬膜外,肿瘤呈纵向梭形生长,脊髓受压变形,形状不规则。T1WI呈等信号（4例）或稍低信号（2例）,T2WI为高信号,增强扫描时病灶均匀强化。5例为非霍奇金B细胞型淋巴瘤,另1例为非霍奇金T细胞型淋巴瘤。结论：原发性椎管内淋巴瘤在发病部位,病变形态和强化信号上具有一定特征,正确认识有利于提高对本病的诊断和鉴别诊断。     

Spinal cord watershed infarction: Novel findings on magnetic resonance imaging

Spinal cord watershed ischemia is a rare phenomenon often associated with cardiac arrest, prolonged hypotension, and atherosclerotic disease. It can manifest as central necrosis with peripheral sparing in the transverse axis, and central lesion with rostral and caudal sparing in the longitudinal axis. Few reports provide detailed imaging findings of spinal cord watershed ischemia lesions. We present a patient who experienced watershed infarcts of the brain and spinal cord following prolonged hypotension due to blood loss after an aortic aneurysm repair. The patient experienced loss of neurologic function of the lower extremities and left arm that did not recover following spinal cord ischemia protocol. MRI revealed spinal cord watershed ischemia in both the longitudinal and axial planes with the point of maximal T2 signal hyperintensity in the central cord at T10-T11. Unique findings included zones of central maximal T2 signal hyperintensity with peripheral sparing, and moderate T2 intensity representing partial ischemia between regions of maximal T2 intensity unaffected peripheral regions. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography angiogram revealed extensive intraluminal thrombus and bilateral spinal artery occlusion from T8 to L2 and bilateral severe renal artery stenosis. T7 and L3 spinal arteries were patent. We suspect preexisting atherosclerotic disease played a significant role in the development of widespread watershed lesions following prolonged hypotension and resulted in a clinical and imaging presentation distinct from that seen with isolated anterior spinal artery occlusion. Our unique MRI findings portray a rarely documented pattern of spinal cord watershed ischemia and prompt questions about the role of anatomic idiosyncrasies and preexisting vascular disease in the development of spinal cord watershed ischemia.     

椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MR表现

目的 探讨椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤R诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析3例经病理证实的椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MR表现，并复习相关文献。结果 3例椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤中，2例位于胸椎，1例位于颈胸椎。3例均沿脊椎纵轴生长，呈梭形或长条形；2例肿块“钳”状包绕，推挤相应水平的脊髓；3例均表现为T2WI高信号，钆喷替酸葡甲胺（Gd-DTPA)增强扫描呈均匀一致的明显强化；2例肿瘤侵犯，压迫相邻的椎间孔并使椎间孔扩大，且经椎间孔突出旁间隙，呈“哑铃状”外观。2例合并椎体血管瘤。结论 椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管是非常少见的椎管硬膜外肿瘤，MRI是诊断此病的最佳方法，并具有相对特征性表现。     

椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI特征分析

目的研究椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI表现特征,提高对本病的认识及诊断水平。方法回顾分析经手术病理证实的9例椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤病例的临床资料,总结其MRI影像学特征。结果 9例椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤病例病灶均位于胸段椎管,其中3例位于上胸段,6例位于下胸段,病灶均沿脊柱长轴生长;T1WI呈高低混杂信号,T2WI呈明显高信号,与脑脊液信号相仿。矢状位显示病灶呈梭形或卵圆形附于椎管侧后壁,相应硬膜外间隙增宽,在病灶两端形成T1WI及T2WI均为高信号的脂肪帽,呈＂笔套样＂改变,增强后病灶显著均匀强化,强化后的瘤体与高信号的脂肪帽分界不清,共同形成＂双尾样＂改变。冠状位及轴位显示病灶沿相邻椎间孔＂伪足样＂向外生长,相应椎间孔轻度增宽,骨质轻度压迫吸收。结论椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI表现具有一定的特征性,多平面全方位观察有助于术前准确定位及诊断。     

自发性脊髓硬膜外血肿的MRI诊断

目的 探讨自发性脊柱硬膜外血肿MRI表现特征.方法 对9例自发性脊髓硬膜外血肿的MRI表现作回顾性分析,本组患者均无明显的外伤史,发病后4～24h行MRI检查5例,1～3天行MRI检查3例,5天行MRI检查1例.常规横轴面、矢状面T2WI、TIWI及T2 WI脂肪抑制技术.结果 血肿发生于颈段4例,胸段2例,颈胸交界部2例,腰段1例.9例均表现为脊髓硬膜外梭形,长度7～12cm.血肿位于脊髓正后方4例,脊髓右后方3例,脊髓左后方1例,脊髓正前方1例,脊髓不同程度受压移位,脊髓与血肿间见线条状低信号影.4～24h行MRI检查5例,于T2 WI上呈稍高信号3例,高信号1例,等信号1例;于T11WI上呈等信号3例,等低信号2例.1～3天行MRI检查3例,于T2WI上呈低信号1例,等信号1例,等低信号1例;于T1WI上呈等信号2例,等低信号1例.5天行MRI检查1例,于T2 WI上呈低信号;T1WI上呈稍高信号.9例中T2WI压脂上呈低信号3例,等信号4例,高信号2例.结论 MRI是诊断自发性脊髓硬膜外血肿的最佳检查方法,不仅可以清楚地显示血肿的部位及范围,而且可以清楚地显示血肿新旧程度.     

Spinal epidural haematoma: report of 11 cases and review of the literature

Spinal epidural haematomas (SEH) are rare; most are caused by trauma, anticoagulant therapy, vascular anomalies, hypertension, blood dyscrasias, epidural anaesthesia or, rarely, spinal surgery. We report 11 cases and review the literature (16 cases). The clinical picture is that of acute spinal cord compression. MRI characteristics are quite specific. On sagittal sections, the SEH appears as a biconvex mass, dorsal to the thecal sac, clearly outlined and with tapering superior and inferior margins. The dura mater is seen as curvilinear low signal separating the haematoma from the cord. Within 24 h of onset, the haematoma is isointense with the cord on T1-weighted images and heterogeneous on T2-weighted images. Later, it gives high signal on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Differential diagnosis must include subdural haematoma, epidural neoplasm and abscess. Complete neurological recovery rapidly follows laminectomy and removal of the clot. In three of our cases, the haematoma resolved spontaneously. MRI is the best examination for diagnostic and follow-up.     

MRI of acute spinal epidural hematomas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to determine the MR findings that characterize acute spinal epidural hematomas (ASEHs). METHOD: The MR findings of 17 patients with ASEH (9 cervical, 7 thoracic, and 2 lumbar) were reviewed. Fifteen of the hematomas were secondary to trauma and two were spontaneous. Correlation with CT (8 cases) and surgical findings (11 cases) was also performed. RESULTS: Imaging findings in ASEH were the following: (a) a variable signal intensity (on T1-weighted images, 10 showed isointensity to cord and 7 were slightly hyperintense; T2-weighted images showed hyperintensity with areas of hypointensity); (b) capping of epidural fat; (c) direct continuity with the adjacent osseous structures; (d) compression of epidural fat, subarachnoid sac, and spinal cord; (e) usually posterolateral location in the spinal canal. CONCLUSION: Epidural hematomas in the spinal canal are lesions capable of producing sudden spinal cord and/or cauda equina compression. MR provides characteristic findings that allow a prompt diagnosis of acute epidural hematomas.     

椎管内血肿的影像学表现

目的探讨椎管内血肿的CT及MRI表现特点,提高椎管内血肿CT及MRI表现的认识。方法回顾分析18例经手术及临床治疗随访复查证实的椎管内血肿的CT及MRI表现。18例患者均常规CT、MR平扫,其中2例MR增强扫描。使用GE公司Lightspeed16CT扫描仪,及Phillip1．5TAcheive超导MR扫描仪,2例MR增强扫描采用钆喷酸葡甲胺（Gd—DTPA）对比剂经静脉团注,注射剂0．1mmol/kg。结果颈胸段3例,胸段5例,胸腰段6例,腰段4例;位于脊髓背侧方14例,脊髓两侧2例、腹侧2例。硬膜外血肿11例,硬膜下血肿6例,硬膜外血肿并蛛网膜下腔内积血1例。CT表现为高密度或等密度,MRI分别呈长T1长T2信号、长T-短Tz信号、等T1短T2信号及短T1长T2信号,其中2例MR增强扫描,1例边缘强化,1例未见强化。结论椎管内血肿的CT、MRI表现具有一定的特征性,对其定性定位诊断及鉴别诊断有着重要的价值。     

平山病MRI诊断价值的初步研究

目的：探讨平山病的MRI表现及其诊断价值,加深对平山病的MRI表现及其可能的发病机制的认识。方法：回顾性分析5例经临床证实为平山病的MRI资料。所有患者均行颈椎常规仰卧位和屈颈位平扫及增强MRI检查。结果：常规仰卧位MPA显示5例患者中3例低位颈髓（C5-C7）萎缩,变扁平,髓内出现信号异常（主要位于灰质前角内）;屈颈位砌平扫5例均可见下段颈髓前移、变扁平加剧;4例硬脊膜外间隙增宽。增强MRI 3例患者可见增宽的硬膜外间隙内异常增粗并明显强化的静脉丛。结论：平山病的MRI表现有一定的特征性,屈颈位平扫及增强MRI对平山病的诊断有重要的价值。     

脊髓亚急性联合变性15例临床分析

目的　总结脊髓亚急性联合变性的临床特点 ,探讨该病的病因、电生理及其MRI表现。方法　对 15例脊髓亚急性联合变性的临床表现 ,实验室、电生理及MRI检查、常见病因、治疗方法进行了分析。结果　 15例均有后索、侧索及周围神经损害 ,以后索、侧索损害为主者 11例 (73 .3 3 % ) ,以周围神经损害为主者 4例 (2 6.67% ) ,伴精神症状者 3例 (2 0 % ) ,伴视力减退者 4例 (2 6.67% )。检测血清维生素B1 2 11例 ,其中降低 8例 (72 .73 % )、正常 3例 (2 7.2 7% )。MRI检查脊髓异常 2例 ,均为脊髓后索长条状对称性的等 (或 )长T1、长T2信号。结论　脊髓亚急性联合变性是由于维生素B1 2 缺乏以后索、侧索及周围神经损害为主的疾病 ,血清维生素B1 2 降低有助于脊髓亚急性联合变性的诊断 ,但不是一个绝对可靠的指标。脊髓MRI检查对本病具有客观诊断价值。     

平山病2例报告并文献复习

目的 探讨平山病的颈髓磁共振(MRI)表现及其诊断价值.方法 对2例平山病患者的临床、神经电生理、MRI影像学资料进行分析,并复习相关文献,总结平山病的颈髓MRI特点.结果 2例均为青年男性,主要表现为局限于手和前臂肌萎缩.肌电图均示神经源性损害.自然位MRI扫描,2例均有C4～C7段脊髓轻度萎缩,前后径变短.屈颈位MRI平扫2例均可见下段颈髓前移、变扁平加剧,硬脊膜外间隙增宽,其内可见蚓状异常血管流空信号.增强MRI2例均可见增宽的硬膜外间隙内异常增粗并明显强化的静脉丛.结论 平山病的MRI表现有一定的特征性,屈颈位平扫及增强MRI对平山病的诊断有重要的价值.     

自发性椎管内硬膜外血肿的MRI诊断

目的探讨自发性椎管内硬膜外血肿（SSEH）的MRI特征,旨在提高对此病的认识水平。方法回顾性总结我院6例SSEH的MRI特征和相关临床资料,其中4例经手术和病理确诊,2例保守治疗随访有效。结果血肿位于颈胸段2例,胸段3例,腰段1例。5例血肿位于硬脊膜外腔后方,1例位于硬脊膜外腔侧后方,血肿累及l～3个脊髓节段。T1加权像呈等信号、Tz加权像呈高信号1例;T1加权像呈等信号、L加权像呈低信号3例;T1加权像呈高信号、T1加权像呈低信号2例。其中4例采用钆喷酸葡甲胺（Gd—DTPA）对比剂增强扫描,1例轻中度条片状强化;2例边缘轻度强化,其中1例类似环状;1例无明显强化。结论MRI易于检出自发性椎管内硬膜外血肿,可以准确显示其部位、形态、大小及周围组织的关系,可以作出定性诊断,对临床诊治具有重要价值。     

硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤MRI表现

目的评价硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤MRI特征表现。方法回顾性分析3例经手术病理证实的硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤的MR表现及文献复习。结果3例硬脊膜外海绵状血管瘤中,1例位于腰段椎管,2例位于胸段椎管,3例均发生于脊髓背侧,两端尖细,长轴与脊椎纵轴一致,相应平面的脊髓均受压推移;3例均表现为T2WI高信号,Gd-DTPA增强扫描呈均匀一致的明显强化。结论MRI检查是诊断此病的最佳无创检查方法。     

Visibility of the central canal on MRI

The central canal of the spinal cord is present at birth and becomes progressively obliterated. Cadaver studies have shown that it may persiste partially or completely. To our knowledge, this entity has not been described on MRI. We reviewed 794 MRI studies of the spinal cord, and found 12 patients (aged 14 to 65 years) who had an intramedullary cavity. The cavity was at the junction of the ventral ¹/₃ and dorsal ²/₃ of the spinal cord, except at the level of the lumbar enlargement, where it was central. It was filiform in most cases, although sometimes fusiform (3 to 4 mm in diameter), and had regular contours. The cavity were thoracic in 69 % of cases. The clinical features were totally unrelated to the image, and there were no anatomical factors (Chiari malformation, dysraphism) predisposing to syringomyelia. The images were perfectly compatible with a persistent central canal, which we interpret as a variant of normal anatomy. Therefore it is important to regard these findings as normal, to avoid unnecessary treatment and follow-up. Received: 20 October 1999/Accepted: 29 December 1999     

Imaging and outcome in severe complications of lumbar epidural anaesthesia: report of 16 cases

We reviewed the clinical and neuroradiological features in 16 patients with serious neurological complications of lumbar epidural anaesthesia. We observed acute, transient or permanent and delayed complications. Four patients had symptoms immediately after the procedure. One patient developed a subacute flaccid paraparesis. Two other patients had infectious spondylodiscitis at lumbar puncture level. Eight patients had a delayed progressive spastic paraparesis and were found to have subarachnoid cysts and irregularities of the surface of the spinal cord consistent with arachnoiditis; six of them had an extensive, complex syrinx within the cord. One patient had a severe lumbar polyradiculopathy, and MRI showed adhesive arachnoiditis involving the cauda equina. Although epidural anaesthesia is generally considered safe, rare but severe complications, such as radiculopathy, infectious disease, myelopathy from ischemia and arachnoiditis with a syrinx may occur. The patients with arachnoiditis had a relentless progression of the disease and a poor outcome: five are confined to a wheelchair, one is bedridden. Complications of epidural anaesthesia are easily recognised when they develop immediately; their relationship to the anaesthesia may be ignored or underestimated when they appear after a delay. Awareness of the possibility of delayed complications is important. Received: 2 August 1999 Accepted: 4 November 1999     

椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI诊断及鉴别诊断

目的探讨椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI诊断及鉴别诊断价值。资料与方法回顾性分析5例经病理证实的椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI表现,并与硬膜外其他病变进行鉴别。结果5例中,4例位于胸段,1例位于胸腰段,均沿脊椎纵轴生长,呈梭形或长椭圆形;病变平面脊髓明显受压,3例肿块呈"钳"状包绕脊髓;5例均表现为T2WI高信号,T1WI等或稍高信号,增强扫描均匀一致明显强化;2例肿瘤沿相邻的椎间孔呈"哑铃"状生长,并使椎间孔扩大。结论椎管内硬膜外海绵状血管瘤的MRI表现具有一定特征性,但需与硬膜外其他病变相鉴别。     

CT and MRI of symptomatic spinal involvement by extramedullary haemopoiesis

Five cases of tumour-like extramedullary haemopoiesis (EH) causing spinal cord compression or back pain are reported. Three patients were suffering from thalassaemia major, one from sickle cell anaemia and one from thalassaemia intermedia. CT findings included soft tissue masses in the epidural space of the spinal canal, spinal cord displacement and involvement of the underlying bone. MRI studies showed masses compressing the spinal cord. On T1-weighted images there was a signal of slightly higher intensity compared to that of the adjacent marrow. CT suggested the diagnosis in four cases (in the fifth it was not performed), while MRI was positive in all five. There was good correlation between the MRI findings and the CT appearance of the EH masses. Our results suggest that MRI may eliminate the need for other diagnostic examinations in the investigation of patients with EH.     

Thoracic epidural angiolipoma: A case report and review of the literature

Angiolipoma of the spine is a benign neoplasm consisting of both mature fatty tissue and abnormal vascular elements, and usually presents with a slow progressive clinical course. Our patient presented with bilateral lower extremity weakness and chest-back numbness. Physical examination revealed adipose elements superficial hypesthesia below the T5 level and analgesia below the T6 level. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed an avidly and heterogeneously enhancing mass which was located in the posterior epidural space. Compression of the thoracic cord by the fusiform mass was seen between T3-T4. During the operation, a flesh pink vascular mass (4.7 cm × 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm) with obscure margin and strong but pliable texture was found in the posterior epidural space extending from T3 to T4. There was no infiltration of the dura or the adjacent bony spine. Histopathological study of the surgical specimen showed a typical angiolipoma. We review the previously documented cases of spinal extradural angiolipomas performed with MRI.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of blood-spinal cord barrier disruption in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Inflammation, demyelination, and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSB) breakdown occur in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of MRI for detecting lesions and BSB disruption in vivo during EAE in the mouse lumbar spinal cord, to determine how MR features of BSB disruption change during the course of disease, and to relate such changes to clinical signs and histological features of disease. Following induction of EAE in C57BL/6 mice, contrast-enhanced (CE) T(1)-weighted MR images were acquired to detect BSB disruption in the lumbar spinal cord at the early stage of disease, at peak disease, and at remission, and T(2)-weighted images were obtained to monitor spinal cord morphology. Following imaging the spinal cords were assessed in situ for general features of inflammation, BSB leakage, activated macrophages/microglia, and demyelination. No focal lesions were evident on T(2)-weighted MR images. BSB disruption was greatest at the onset of signs of disease, and decreased progressively thereafter. Inflammation and demyelination were pronounced at the initial stage of disease and at peak disease, and were decreased at remission. Nonuniform contrast enhancement indicated that breakdown of the BSB occurred predominantly within the white matter (WM) of the spinal cord.     

Case report: spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma during pregnancy: case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous epidural haematoma is rare in pregnancy and only five cases have been reported. We present a case of a 31-year-old female G2P1 who at 32 weeks of gestation developed progressive ascending paralysis and numbness to a level of approximately T4. An urgent MRI of the spine was performed, which demonstrated a posterior epidural lesion at T1-T4 level. The lesion showed signal changes consistent with an epidural haematoma in the hyperacute stage. An emergency cesarean section was performed followed by spinal decompression and removal of an epidural haematoma. The patient's neurological function subsequently improved. The diagnosis and management of spontaneous epidural haematoma in pregnancy is presented with a review of the literature.