Frequency of unexpected multifocal metastasis in patients with acute spinal cord compression. Evaluation by low-field MR imaging in cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to estimate, in an acute care service, the frequency of multiple-level lesion involvement in patients with clinically suspected spinal cord compression or spinal blockage.


METHODS
Over a period of 17 months, 240 patients with symptoms of acute spinal cord compression underwent acute MR examination of the spine in a 0.1 T MR unit. The cervical spine was only added to the examination if there was clinical suspicion of cord compression above Th1.


RESULTS
In 65 (27%) of the 240 patients, involvement of at least one level was found. Of these patients, 32 (49%) showed involvement of more than one level. This high rate was surprising, since only 14 (44%) of the 32 multiple lesions had been clinically suspected. There was no correlation to age or original type of cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
MR accurately demonstrates the anatomy of the spine and spinal cord, showing the level and complexity of spinal lesions. Multiple lesions may be underestimated when the combination of myelography/radiculography and CT is used.
Heldmann
U
U
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Myschetzky
P S
PS
Thomsen
H S
HS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed