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.     

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.     

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver MR findings

The magnetic resonance (MR) features of a 67-year-old woman with a surgically and pathologically proved primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver studied at 1.0 T, using T1- (TR/TE = 450/15), and T2-weighted (TR/TE = 2200/45 to 90) spin-echo (SE) images, are described. On T1-weighted SE images, the tumor was well defined, was slightly heterogeneous, and displayed hypointensity to the adjacent hepatic parenchyma, with an area displaying hyperintensity. On T2-weighted SE images, the tumor was encapsulated, was heterogeneous, and displayed marked hyperintensity.     

Microcystic meningioma: importance of obvious hypointensity on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images

PURPOSE: To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of various magnetic resonance imaging findings for microcystic meningioma. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images of 26 patients with microcystic meningioma (8 from our series and 18 from the literature) and 32 control subjects with other types of meningiomas were evaluated for obvious hypointensity relative to the cerebral cortex on T1-weighted images (T1WIs), obvious hyperintensity relative to the cerebral cortex on T2-weighted images (T2WIs), a radial or sunburst vascular pattern, marginal and reticular enhancement, severe peritumoral brain edema, and the dural tail sign. Differences in the frequencies of these findings between the microcystic and control groups were examined by means of the chi2 test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of these findings in the diagnosis of microcystic meningioma were calculated. Multivariate analysis of the findings was also performed. RESULTS: The frequencies of obvious hypointensity on T1WI, obvious hyperintensity on T2WI, marginal and reticular enhancement, and severe peritumoral brain edema significantly differed between the microcystic and control groups (all P < 0.005). Sensitivities and specificities of hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI in the diagnosis of microcystic meningioma were greater than 87%. After multivariate analysis, obvious hypointensity on T1WI was the only significant predictor of microcystic meningioma, with an odds ratio of 75.0 (95% confidence interval, 3.7-1536.0). CONCLUSION: Obvious hypointensity relative to the cerebral cortex on T1WI was the most valuable magnetic resonance finding in the diagnosis of microcystic meningioma.     

软骨肉瘤的影像诊断与鉴别诊断

目的:探讨软骨肉瘤的影像学表现,提高对本病诊断的准确性。方法:回顾性分析25例经手术病理证实的软骨肉瘤的X线、CT和MRI资料。结果:25例软骨肉瘤中原发23例,其中普通型20例,去分化型、黏液型及透明细胞型各1例;继发2例。X线及CT表现:原发的23例中溶骨性骨破坏5例,混合性骨破坏18例,形成软组织肿块20例,其中表现为低密度19例,等密度1例。20例普通型及1例黏液型见散在钙化。MRI表现:普通型软骨肉瘤T1WI呈等或稍低信号,T2WI呈等或稍高信号;黏液型T1WI呈等、低混杂信号,T2WI呈稍高、低的混杂信号,钙化T2WI呈低信号;透明细胞型病例T1WI及T2WI呈近乎等信号;去分化型T1WI呈等低混杂信号,T2WI呈不均匀高信号。6例普通型及1例继发型出现环形、间隔样中等-明显强化,黏液型及去分化型呈不均匀中等-明显强化。结论:普通X线及CT是软骨肉瘤影像诊断及鉴别诊断的主要手段,MRI显示软骨信号为重要提示。MRI显示病变范围更为清楚、准确,为临床治疗提供可靠依据。     

Imaging of benign hypervascular hepatocellular nodules in alcoholic liver cirrhosis: differentiation from hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively describe imaging analyses of benign hypervascular hyperplastic liver nodules (HHN) that resulted from alcoholic liver cirrhosis and to examine the possibility of imaging differentiation between these nodules and hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Ten histopathologically confirmed HHN arise in alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and 9 HCC were examined. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (10 HHN and 9 HCC), superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced T2-weighted MRI (6 HHN and 4 HCC), and dual-phase computed tomography hepatic arteriography (5 HHN and 6 HCC) were performed, respectively. RESULTS: On T1-weighted magnetic resonance images, 7 HHNs showed hyperintensity and 3 showed iso- to hypointensity, and all HCCs showed hypointensity compared with surrounding liver. On T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, 2 HHNs showed hyperintensity and 8 showed iso- to hypointensity. In contrast, 1 HCC showed hypointensity and 8 showed hyperintensity. On superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced T2 MRI, all HHNs showed iso- to hypointensity, and all HCCs showed hyperintensity. All HHN and HCCs subjected to dual-phase computed tomography hepatic arteriography showed enhancement on early-phase images and coronalike enhancement on late-phase images. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging findings of highly-well differentiated HCCs possibly overlap with HHN. So, for correct diagnosis of HHN, at first, we should suspect HHN based on clinical findings and MRI findings, and then perform core needle biopsy to verify the radiological diagnosis.     

Delayed encephalopathy of acute carbon monoxide intoxication: diffusivity of cerebral white matter lesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carbon monoxide intoxication has delayed effects on the cerebral white matter characterized by bilateral, confluent lesions that reflect diffuse demyelination. To increase our understanding of this process, we assessed the diffusion characteristics of these lesions. METHODS: Five consecutive patients with delayed encephalopathy of CO intoxication were examined with diffusion MR imaging. Diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) were obtained 25-95 days after their exposure to CO and during a relapse of neuropsychiatric symptoms, which occurred after an initial recovery. Imaging was performed at 1.5 T by using a spin-echo echo-planar sequence with diffusion gradients of 0, 500, and 1000 s/mm(2). DWIs and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were visually evaluated, and mean ADCs were calculated from the periventricular white matter and the centrum semiovale, where confluent hyperintensity was seen on T2-weighted images. Findings were compared with those of normal-looking white matter. RESULTS: In all five patients, both T2-weighted images and DWIs showed the white matter lesions as bilateral, diffuse, confluent areas of hyperintensity in the periventricular white matter and centrum semiovale. On ADC maps, these lesions were isointense, with focal areas of hypointensity (n = 4) or diffuse hypointensity (n = 1). Mean ADC values of the white matter lesions were significantly lower than those of normal-looking white matter, regardless of their isointensity or hypointensity on ADC maps (P <.05). CONCLUSION: Bilateral, confluent, white matter lesions in patients with delayed encephalopathy of CO intoxication show decreased diffusivity.     

Peripheral spinal cord hypointensity on T2-weighted MR images: a reliable imaging sign of venous hypertensive myelopathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MR findings reported in conjunction with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) include cord swelling, increased T2 signal within the spinal cord, and parenchymal enhancement, each of which is nonspecific. Enlarged vessels on the cord surface, the most specific MR finding, is noted in only half of SDAVF patients. Nevertheless, we have frequently observed MR peripheral hypointensity of the spinal cord in SDAVF on T2-weighted images, which is not characteristic of nonvascular or nonhemorrhagic causes of myelopathy and which has not been described in association with SDAVF. We hypothesized that peripheral cord hypointensity might reliably suggest the diagnosis of SDAVF or other causes of venous hypertensive myelopathy. METHODS: We reviewed the MR findings in 11 consecutive cases of angiographically confirmed symptomatic SDAVF and in four cases of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula with spinal drainage, a lesion that also causes spinal cord deficits mediated by venous hypertensive myelopathy. RESULTS: In each case, T2 hypointensity involving the cord periphery was present. This sign has not been previously described in association with either SDAVF or other causes of venous hypertensive myelopathy. It appears, however, to be a relatively constant imaging feature of SDAVF. CONCLUSION: In the absence of spinal hemorrhage, T2 hypointensity involving the periphery of the spinal cord suggests venous hypertensive myelopathy as a cause of spinal cord dysfunction.     

A true aneurysm of the femoral artery in acromegaly

We report on an acromegalic patient who developed a true aneurysm in the right femoral artery. Plain computed tomography (CT) showed a soft tissue mass with low density adjacent to the right femoral artery. T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images exhibited the lesion with moderate hypointensity peripherally, and hypointensity centrally. T2-weighted images showed the lesion to have areas of hypointensity, moderate hyperintensity, and marked hyperintensity. Surgery revealed an ectasia of the common femoral artery and a true aneurysm from the lateral femoral circumflex artery.     

卵泡膜瘤-纤维瘤的MRI评价

目的：探讨卵巢卵泡膜瘤-纤维瘤的MR表现特点。方法：对31例病理证实的卵泡膜瘤-纤维瘤的MRI表现进行回顾性分析,观察肿瘤的形态、大小、边缘和信号特征。结果：31例中卵泡膜瘤7例,纤维卵泡膜瘤15例,纤维瘤9例。全部肿瘤呈圆形或类圆形,边界清楚,肿瘤最大径范围2.1～6.7cm。全部肿瘤T1WI呈等信号或略低信号,卵泡膜瘤T2WI呈高信号;纤维卵泡膜瘤T2WI呈高低混合信号,卵泡膜成分区呈高信号,纤维成分区呈低信号;9例纤维瘤于T2WI呈低信号。31例肿瘤中有1例纤维卵泡膜瘤见小囊变和/或坏死区。增强后卵泡膜成分强化比纤维成分明显,而且纤维成分强化慢于卵泡膜成分。弥散加权成像卵泡膜瘤ADC值（范围1.07～1.32×10^-3mm^2/s）明显高于纤维瘤（范围0.74～0.49×10^-3mm^2/s）,差异有显著性意义（P〈0.01）。结论：卵泡膜瘤-纤维瘤多为实体性肿瘤,T2WI卵泡膜成分呈高信号,纤维成分呈低信号,DWI有助于进一步协助诊断。     

Small renal cell carcinoma: MRI with pathologic correlation

The MRI features of small renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with histology in 24 patients. MRI features on both T1- and T2-weighted images were classified into hypointensity, isointensity, and hyperintensity. Each tumor was pathologically classified into four types: alveolar, papillary, tubular, and cystic. These findings were correlated with MR signal intensities. Alveolar tumors showed hypointensity to isointensity on T1-weighted image and isointensity to hyperintensity on T2-weighted image. In contrast, all papillary tumors showed hypointensity on T2-weighted image. Four of six tumors with hypointensity on T2-weighted image were caused by hemosiderin deposition, hemorrhage, and necrosis. However, there were two papillary RCCs that showed hypointensity on T2-weighted image despite no hemosiderin deposition and no hemorrhage. We conclude that papillary RCC is associated with T2-hypointense appearance as well as hemosiderin deposition, hemorrhage, and necrosis.     

脑内型表皮样囊肿的MRI诊断

目的探讨脑内型表皮样囊肿的MRI特点,以加强对该病的认识,提高正确诊断率。资料与方法分析经手术病理证实的8例脑内型表皮样囊肿的MRI表现。全部患者均进行了T1WI、T2WI平扫及增强检查,5例患者行液体衰减反转恢复（FLAIR）序列检查。结果8例表皮样囊肿中,位于颞叶5例,额叶2例,额、颞叶交界区1例。所有病灶均发生在皮质区或皮质下区。病变轮廓不光整者5例,较光整者3例。病变与周围组织结构均分界清晰。在T1WI上病灶呈均匀低信号3例,以低信号为主其内间以斑片状、点状及条状中等信号或略高信号者4例,中心呈低、等混杂信号外围见同心圆形等信号者1例;在T2WI上呈均匀高信号,信号强度与脑脊液信号相似者4例,以高信号为主其内间以斑片状、点状及条状略高信号者3例,以高信号为主其内间以略高信号及略低信号者1例;5例行FLAIR序列检查,病灶均呈略高、等、低混杂信号,病灶周边环以线样或斑片样高信号。除1例病灶周围脑组织有轻度水肿外,均未见灶周水肿征象。病灶占位效应轻,周围组织受压征象不明显。MR增强扫描,2例见斑片状不均匀强化,其余病例均未见明显强化。结论脑内型表皮样囊肿的MRI表现具特征性,MRI表现有助于对该病的诊断。     

MR imaging characteristics of cranial bone marrow in adult patients with underlying systemic disorders compared with healthy control subjects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In young adults, hematopoietic bone marrow has usually converted to fatty marrow. Fat hyperintensity on T1-weighted MR images facilitates the evaluation of marrow abnormalities. Our purpose was to compare cranial marrow signal intensity patterns in adults with systemic disorders and in healthy subjects. METHODS: MR images in 25 adults with underlying systemic disorders (chronic anemia, lymphoma, leukemia, or other infiltrative processes) and 44 healthy aged-matched individuals were retrospectively reviewed. Calvarial and clival marrow signal intensity on sagittal T1-weighted images was graded relative to that of orbital fat, white matter (WM), and gray matter (GM). Marrow was classified as homogeneous (uniformly isointense), diffusely heterogeneous (mottled), or focally heterogeneous (generally isointense with a focal lesion). RESULTS: In 84% of the control subjects, bone marrow was iso- or hyperintense relative to WM. Patients had abnormal diploic (n = 22) or clival (n = 17) marrow; 22 had calvarial marrow that was hypointense relative to WM compared with that in seven healthy subjects (P <.001). Marrow hypointensity relative to WM was a sensitive (93%) and specific (86%) marker of pathologic abnormality. Although marrow hypointensity relative to GM was specific (96%), it was not sensitive (67%). Calvarial and clival marrow patterns, respectively, were homogeneous in 81% and 64% of control subjects and 76% and 60% of patients. Clival marrow intensity varied more than did calvarial intensity; therefore, clival criteria were less sensitive and accurate in systemic disease detection. CONCLUSION: Homogeneous diploic marrow hypointense relative to WM on non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images suggests an underlying systemic or hematologic disorder and requires appropriate clinical correlation and evaluation.     

MR imaging findings in spinal infections: rules or myths?

PURPOSE: To systematically evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings described as being indicative of spinal infection in patients with proven spinal infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast material-enhanced spinal MR images obtained in 46 consecutive patients (22 women, 24 men; mean age, 58.2 years) with culture or histologic examination results positive for spinal infection were systematically evaluated by two observers. Tuberculous and postoperative infections were excluded. Disk signal intensity and disk height, presence of the nuclear cleft, vertebral signal intensity alterations, endplate erosions on T1-weighted MR images, and presence of paraspinal or epidural inflammation were evaluated. Patient charts and surgical reports were reviewed. RESULTS: In the 44 patients with disk infection, MR imaging criteria with good to excellent sensitivity included presence of paraspinal or epidural inflammation (n = 43, 97.7% sensitivity), disk enhancement (n = 42, 95.4% sensitivity), hyperintensity or fluid-equivalent disk signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images (n = 41, 93.2% sensitivity), and erosion or destruction of at least one vertebral endplate (n = 37, 84.1% sensitivity). Effacement of the nuclear cleft was only applicable in 18 patients (n = 15, 83.3% sensitivity). Criteria with low sensitivity included decreased height of the intervertebral space (n = 23, 52.3% sensitivity) and disk hypointensity on T1-weighted MR images (n = 13, 29.5% sensitivity). Involvement of several spinal levels occurred in seven (16%) patients. Other spinal infections included isolated vertebral osteomyelitis (n = 1) and primary epidural abscess (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Most MR imaging criteria commonly used to diagnose disk infections offer good to excellent sensitivity. In atypical manifestations of proven spinal infections, however, some of the classically described MR imaging criteria may not be observed.     

肺癌脊髓内转移的MRI诊断

目的：探讨肺癌脊髓内转移（ISCM）的MRI表现特征及病理机制。方法：对3例经手术病理证实及4例临床确诊的肺癌脊髓内转移的MRI表现进行回顾性分析。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：7例转移瘤均为单发，3例位于胸段，4例位于脊髓圆锥部。主要MRI表现：肿瘤均位于脊髓中央，T1WI1例呈低信号，6例呈等信号，T2WI全部为高信号，病灶上下方髓内可见水肿2例，空洞3例；平扫肿瘤边界模糊不清，增强扫描均呈明显强化，其中3例呈不均匀强化，3例呈环形强化，1例呈结节样强化，增强后肿瘤边界显示十分清楚。结论：肺癌脊骨转移的MRI表现常为明显强化的髓内肿物，但其缺乏特征性，定性诊断需结合临床资料综合分析。     

Calcium crystal deposition in cervical ligamentum flavum: CT and MR findings.

We report three patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease within the ligamenta flava of the cervical spine who presented with progressive myelopathy. Plain radiography showed oval calcified nodules at the level of C4-C5 and C5-C6. On computed myelography, oval calcified nodules were seen in the ligamenta flava of the posterior cervical spinal canal compressing the dural sac. Magnetic resonance revealed oval corresponding hypointense foci both on T1-and T2-weighted images. In two cases, the cervical cord showed hyperintensity at the compression site on T2-weighted images.     

Gadolinium-DTPA enhanced MR imaging of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas

To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) in the diagnosis of dural arteriovenous (AV) fistulas and the resulting myelopathy, the MR examinations of 11 patients with symptoms and signs of slowly progressive myelopathy of the lower spinal cord have been reviewed. Patients with intradural or extradural AV malformations were excluded. Six patients have been examined without the use of a contrast agent. The other five patients were studied prior and after intravenous administration of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). Serpentine linear areas of low signal due to flow void effects within the subdural space have been detected in seven patients. The T1-weighted sagittal images and T2-weighted sagittal and axial images demonstrated signal intensity changes within the center of the cord due to prolongation of T1 and T2 relaxation times. In addition, a relatively abrupt increase of the sagittal and transverse diameters of the lower thoracic cord was found in all cases. In nine patients T1-weighted, proton-density and T2-weighted sagittal images presented "blurred" margins of the lower thoracic cord. After intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg), contrast enhancement was present not only within these vessels but also within the lower spinal cord. There was only slight enhancement of the cord immediately after injection of the contrast agent, but significant enhancement was observed 40-45 min later.     

Focal T2 hyperintensity in the dorsal brain stem in patients with vestibular schwannoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The vestibular nucleus cannot be visualized on MR imaging, but some patients with vestibular schwannoma show a tiny area of hyperintensity in the dorsal brain stem on T2-weighted images. The aim of this study was to determine whether this tiny area is characteristic of vestibular schwannoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the postoperative MR images of 53 patients with cerebellopontine angle tumor. MR images were obtained with a 1.5T scanner. Spin-echo pre- and postcontrast 3-mm-thick T1-weighted axial images, 3-mm-thick fast spin-echo (FSE) T2-weighted axial images, and 0.8-mm-thick constructive interference in steady state (CISS) axial images were acquired. Surgical and histopathologic diagnosis was vestibular schwannoma (41/53 = 77%), meningioma (7/53 = 13%), epidermoid cyst (3/53 = 6%), glioma with exophytic growth (1/53 = 2%), and chordoma (1/53 = 2%). RESULTS: A tiny area of hyperintensity was observed at the lateral angle of the fourth ventricle floor in 6 patients (3 men, 3 women; age range, 24-54 years; mean age, 43 years) with vestibular schwannoma larger than 2 cm in maximal diameter on both FSE T2-weighted and CISS images. Preoperative MR images with the same pulse sequences showed the same area of hyperintensity in all these patients. CONCLUSION: Because the location of the area of hyperintensity is coincident with the vestibular nucleus, the hyperintensity may represent degeneration of the nucleus. This hyperintensity should not be confused with a postoperative lesion or a small infarction. If such hyperintensity is seen in a patient with a large cerebellopontine angle tumor, a diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma is suggested.     

脂肪肝内正常肝岛及正常肝内局灶脂肪变性的CT与MR诊断

目的：探讨脂肪肝内正常肝岛及正常肝内局灶脂肪变性的ＣＴ与ＭＲ征象。方法：６例脂肪肝内正常肝组织岛（Ａ组）与７例正常肝内局灶性脂肪变性（Ｂ组）病人,ＣＴ与常规ＳＥＴ１ 及Ｔ２ 加权及梯度回波Ｔ１ 加权ｉｎ－ ｐｈａｓｅ及ｏｕｔ－ ｐｈａｓｅ ＭＲ成像。结果：增强前、后ＣＴ显示正常肝组织岛保持正常肝组织与脾脏密度关系;肝组织局灶脂肪变性呈相对低密度。ＭＲＩＳＥＴ１、Ｔ２ 加权成像及梯度回波ｉｎ－ ｐｈａｓｅＴ１ 加权成像显示正常肝组织岛相对低信号区;局灶脂肪变性区呈稍高信号。梯度回波ｏｕｔ－ ｐｈａｓｅ Ｔ１ 加权成像正常肝组织岛呈高信号;局灶脂肪变性区呈低信号。脂肪抑制Ｔ２ 加权成像均呈等信号。结论：采用ＭＲ的梯度回波ｏｕｔ－ ｐｈａｓｅＴ１ 加权及ＴＳＥＴ２ 加权脂肪抑制成像可以诊断正常肝岛及正常肝内的局灶脂肪变性。     

Recurrent acute transverse myelopathy associated with anticardiolipin antibodies.

In three patients with recurrent episodes of acute transverse myelopathy, spinal MR imaging during each episode showed areas of hyperintensity on proton density- and T2-weighted images with inconsistent contrast enhancement. Cranial MR imaging, laboratory screenings, and CSF analysis showed only increased titers of anticardiolipin antibodies. Although a causative role in neurologic conditions has not been established conclusively, an association between these antibodies and acute transverse myelopathy and its recurrences cannot be ignored.