[Transesophageal ultrasonography of the spinal canal].
Transoesophageal ultrasound imaging of the spinal canal through an intervertebral disc was successfully achieved in 44 of 50 adults (18 women and 32 men; mean age 56 years, range 22-79) who, for cardiological indications had transoesophageal echocardiography. On average, five (range 1-11), usually sequential, segments were visualized. In 37 patients pulse-synchronous sagittal displacement of the spinal cord was noted, presumably caused by cerebrospinal fluid pulsation. In one woman, with known syringomyelia, the spinal cord cavity was well shown. Real-time demonstration of dynamic events in the spinal canal opens up new possibilities for the diagnosis and follow-up monitoring of spinal diseases.
Funck
M
M
II. Medizinische Abteilung, Allgemeinen Krankenhauses St. Georg, Hamburg.
Schneider
B
B
Igloffstein
J
J
Vogel
P
P
Hanrath
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004452:Echocardiography; D004947:Esophagus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013115:Spinal Canal; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
Transösophageale Echoskopie des Spinalkanals.