KEY FACTS Terminology Synonyms: Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) Congenital spinal malformation characterized by segmentation failure of ≥ 2 cervical vertebrae ± thoracic, lumbar segmentation failure Imaging Single- or multiple-level congenital cervical segmentation and fusion anomalies C2-3 (50%) > C5-6 (33%) >…
KEY FACTS Terminology Synonyms: Tethered cord syndrome (TCS), tight filum terminale syndrome Imaging Stretched, thinned cord with low-lying conus, thickened filum ± fibrolipoma/terminal lipoma, dysraphism, vertebral segmentation anomalies ↓ spinal cord motion Top Differential Diagnoses Normal variant low-lying conus Open…
KEY FACTS Terminology Synonym: Sacral dimple Imaging Low sacral dimple connecting to coccyx by fibrous tract Usually resides within intergluteal cleft No intradural extension by definition Variable size; deeper dimples usually evoke more physician and parental concern Top Differential Diagnoses…
KEY FACTS Terminology Synonyms: Dermal sinus tract (DST) Midline/paramedian stratified squamous epithelial-lined sinus tract Extends inward from skin surface for variable distance Imaging Sinus tract easily identified superimposed on background of cutaneous fat Terminus usually conus medullaris (lumbosacral) or central…
KEY FACTS Terminology Posterior spinal defect lacking skin covering → neural tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and meninges exposed to air Synonyms: Meningomyelocele, open spinal dysraphism, spina bifida aperta, spina bifida cystica Imaging Lumbosacral (44%) > thoracolumbar (32%) > lumbar (22%)…
Terminology Definitions Morphogenetic fields Embryological cellular regions with potential for development into discrete anatomic structures Gradient fields Describe gradually varying potential to form specific individual bones and organs within morphogenetic field Homeobox genes Gene family complexes that regulate early embryologic…
Imaging Anatomy There are 33 spinal vertebrae, which comprise 2 components: A cylindrical ventral bone mass, which is the vertebral body , and the dorsal arch . 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar bodies 5 fused elements form the sacrum…
KEY FACTS Terminology Optic nerve sheath meningioma Also known as perioptic meningioma Benign, slow-growing tumor of optic nerve sheath Distinct entity from intracranial (spheno-orbital) meningioma that extends through orbital apex into orbit Imaging NECT “Tram-track” Ca++ on either side of…
KEY FACTS Terminology Optic pathway glioma (OPG) Primary neuroglial tumor of optic pathway 3 broad clinical subtypes Childhood syndromic [neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)], childhood sporadic, adult Imaging Fusiform optic nerve (ON) mass with variable posterior pathway involvement MR is preferred…
KEY FACTS Terminology Nonspecific orbital inflammation, not due to any known etiology or systemic illness Imaging Best imaging tool: Contrast-enhanced MR with fat suppression Poorly marginated mass-like enhancing soft tissue involving any area of orbit Categorized by area(s) of involvement…