A clinical study on the diagnosis of spinal cord tumor using magnetic resonance imaging

Thirty-five patients with a variety of spinal cord tumors were studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In 22 out of these cases, the efficacy of Dimeglumine gadopentetate (Gd-DTPA) in enhancing MRI was also investigated. The results were as follows: (1) MRI was capable of discerning the level of tumors. (2) MRI was able to distinguish intramedullary from extramedullary tumors. MRI, however, could not always differentiate extradural from intradural tumors. (3) Some cases of lipoma, arteriovenous malformation and hematoma were diagnosed by MRI. (4) Gd-DTPA was found to be effective in enhancing MRI in all cases of spinal cord tumors with exception of two cases of arteriovenous malformations. In conclusion, MRI is very useful in diagnosing spinal cord tumors. MRI, when enhanced with Gd-DTPA, is capable of revealing the content of tumors but also differentiating intramedullary tumors from surrounding edema and syrinx.