KEY FACTS Terminology Spinal cord injury (SCI) Traumatic axonal injury, cord edema, &/or hemorrhage Imaging Abnormal cord signal on MR in setting of trauma Most common level of adult SCI is C4-C6 Commonly associated fracture or subluxation in younger adults…
KEY FACTS Imaging Fusiform intramedullary hyperintensity tracking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal Myelomalacia precedes overt syrinx formation = “presyrinx state” Cystic expansile cord lesion May appear to be “expansile” lesion, relative finding in presence of cord atrophy Consider cine (“dynamic”) PC…
KEY FACTS Terminology Central cord syndrome (CCS), acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) Most common partial cord syndrome Traumatic cord injury, with clinical syndrome of Bilateral weakness, arms > legs Bladder dysfunction, variable sensory loss Injury to central gray matter,…
KEY FACTS Terminology Lateral curvature in spine due to degenerative disc and facet disease in older patients Deformity in skeletally mature patient with Cobb angle of > 10° in coronal plane Predominance of lower lumbar curves Imaging Conventional standing full-length…
KEY FACTS Terminology General term for any lateral curvature of spine Imaging Lateral curvature of spine Returns to midline at ends of curve Rotational component common Most commonly thoracic or thoracolumbar Imaging approach Radiography for initial diagnosis Multiplanar MR to…
KEY FACTS Terminology Spinal curvature secondary to vertebral anomalies Hemivertebra: Unilateral or anterior vertebral hypoplasia “Butterfly” vertebra: Central vertebral cleft due to failure of central vertebral body development “Fused” vertebrae: Embryological failure of segmentation rather than fusion Klippel-Feil syndrome: Multiple…
KEY FACTS Terminology Autosomal-dominant dwarfism affecting spine and extremities a.k.a. achondroplastic dwarfism Imaging Shortened vertebral pedicles Decreasing interpediculate distance toward lower levels of lumbar spine Mildly flattened &/or anteriorly wedged vertebral bodies Thoracolumbar kyphosis Lumbar hyperlordosis Small foramen magnum Other…
KEY FACTS Terminology Rare autosomal dominant disease from chromosomal 22 defect in which all patients develop CNS tumors Mnemonic for NF2 tumors: M ultiple i nherited s chwannomas, m eningiomas, and e pendymomas (MISME) Top Differential Diagnoses Metastases Hemangioblastomas Nonsyndromic…
KEY FACTS Terminology Synonyms: von Recklinghausen disease, peripheral neurofibromatosis Mesodermal dysplasia with neurofibromas (NFs), spinal deformity, neoplastic and nonneoplastic brain lesions, and cutaneous stigmata Imaging Kyphoscoliosis ± multiple nerve root tumors, plexiform neurofibroma, dural ectasia/lateral meningocele Tumors range from tiny…
KEY FACTS Terminology Synonym: Dural ectasia Imaging Smooth remodeling of posterior vertebral body, expansion of osseous spinal canal, ± kyphoscoliosis Pedicular attenuation, widened interpediculate distance, erosion of anterior and posterior elements Patulous, expansile dural sac enlargement Easiest to appreciate on…