KEY FACTS Terminology Dilatation of arachnoid and dura of spinal posterior nerve root sheath, containing nerve fibers a.k.a. Tarlov cyst Imaging Occur anywhere along spine Most common in lower lumbar spine and sacrum S2 and S3 nerve roots most commonly…
KEY FACTS Terminology Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow-related phenomenon due to time of flight (TOF) effects and turbulent flow Imaging Location: Intrathecal, subarachnoid space Most prominent in cervical and thoracic spine Low or high signal intensity Ill-defined margins Top Differential Diagnoses…
KEY FACTS Terminology Uncommon complication following intrathecal chemotherapy Transient or permanent paraplegia Initially described following intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients Imaging Smooth linear enhancement of conus pia, anterior cauda equina nerve roots Unenhanced T1W, T2W images…
KEY FACTS Terminology Transformation of cellular vertebral marrow into fatty marrow following therapeutic irradiation Imaging Sharp demarcation between irradiated and untreated marrow (margins of radiation port) Corresponds to site of irradiation and extent of radiation field Marrow signal intensity within…
KEY FACTS Terminology Chronic progressive radiation myelitis Delayed radiation myelopathy Imaging Spindle-shaped cord swelling with irregular, focal rind of enhancement (early) Focal cord atrophy (late) Clinical signs may reflect longer segment of damage than demonstrated on MR Top Differential Diagnoses…
KEY FACTS Terminology Metastatic lesion from primary carcinoma in another organ (including brain) Imaging Focal, enhancing cord lesion(s) with extensive edema Typically small (< 1.5 cm) T1WI: Enlarged cord T2WI/PD/STIR: Focal high signal represents diffuse edema Rarely syrinx T1WI C+:…
KEY FACTS Terminology Slow-growing glioma arising from ependymal cells of conus, filum terminale, cauda equina Imaging Usually spans 2-4 vertebral segments May fill entire lumbosacral thecal sac Ovoid, lobular, sausage-shaped CT/radiographs ± osseous canal expansion, thinned pedicles, vertebral scalloping May…
KEY FACTS Terminology Neoplasm arising from ependyma lining spinal cord central canal Imaging Circumscribed, enhancing hemorrhagic cord mass with surrounding edema Associated cysts common Cervical > thoracic > conus T1WI: Isointense or slightly hypointense to spinal cord T2WI: Hyperintense relative…
KEY FACTS Terminology Primary neoplasm of astrocytic origin within spinal cord Imaging Fusiform expansion of cord with enhancing component of variable morphology Almost always enhances Cervical > thoracic Usually ≤ 4 segments Occasionally multisegmental, even holocord (more common with pilocytic…
KEY FACTS Terminology Spread of malignant tumor through subarachnoid spaces of brain and spinal cord Imaging Smooth or nodular enhancement along cord, cauda equina Located at any point along CSF pathway 4 basic patterns Solitary focal mass at bottom of…