Introduction Spinal cord astrocytomas are quite uncommon and account for only 3% to 4% of all central nervous system (CNS) astrocytomas. Furthermore, although intracranial glioblastomas are the most common primary brain parenchymal neoplasm, spinal cord glioblastomas are exceedingly rare. The…
Introduction Spinal cord ependymomas are the most common intramedullary tumor in adults and the second most common tumor in children after astrocytomas. Ependymomas typically present within the fourth decade of life and affect men more often than women. A higher…
Introduction Subacute progressive ascending myelopathy (SPAM) is an exceedingly rare and poorly understood complication of spinal cord injury. As the natural history of this process is quite peculiar, it is especially important for the imaging interpreter to be aware of…
Introduction The diagnosis of spinal cord infarction (SCI) has changed significantly in the past decade, largely due to the contributions of neuroimaging. Historically SCI was considered to be rare, with the definitive diagnosis requiring postmortem examination and probable diagnosis requiring…
Introduction The term syringomyelia was introduced by the French pathologist and clinician Charles-Prosper Ollivier d'Angers in 1827 to described cystic cavities in the spinal cord. More specifically, hydromyelia refers to dilatation of the central canal lined by ependymal cells and…
Introduction Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are benign vascular tumors frequently encountered as incidental findings on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The vast majority are quiescent, with classic imaging features that are reassuring to radiologists and patients, and are…
Introduction Chordomas are unusual tumors with seemingly unconventional traits. Most notably, they are malignant primary bone tumors but not sarcomas. They derive from embryologic cell remnants but predominantly affect late-middle-age adults, and they behave aggressively but grow slowly. Chordomas present…
Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is classically considered an infectious disease of developing countries; however, it has made a resurgence in other areas of the world with the increased use of immunosuppressive drugs, increased immigration, and the relatively recent appearance of HIV.…
Introduction Infections of the spine are not uncommon in clinical practice. There are many terms used to describe essentially the same pathologic entity at different stages of evolution. In adults, pyogenic infections typically spread hematogenously to the vertebral endplate (vertebral…
Introduction Kummel disease was first described by Hermann Kummell in 1891 as delayed posttraumatic vertebral collapse occurring weeks or months after an often minimal injury. The mechanism is still debated. These lesions are most widely believed to be secondary to…