Magnetic resonance imaging of acute intramedullary myelopathy: radiological differential diagnosis for the on-call radiologist.
Spinal cord disease is often viewed as having a poor outcome. Although in certain conditions this is true, non-traumatic myelopathy encompasses a vast array of diseases some of which are exquisitely responsive to treatment. Accurate diagnosis becomes important as damage is often progressive and long-term disability and morbidity is related to the degree of neurological impairment when the diagnosis is reached. Out-of-hours magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally requested and performed to ascertain whether there is spinal cord compression; however, there are other causes of a cord syndrome, which are more subtle. This review aims to provide a summary of the imaging features of non-traumatic intramedullary spinal cord emergencies, many of which may appear radiologically similar.
Sheerin
F
F
ORH NHS Trust, Oxford, UK. fintansheerin@doctors.org.uk
Collison
K
K
Quaghebeur
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000175:diagnosis; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000175:diagnosis; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D020758:Spinal Cord Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis