Characterization of magnetic resonance images for spinal cord tumors.
METHODS
Retrospective study MR images for spinal cord tumors.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the characteristics of MR images for spinal cord tumors, which were then verified at surgery or biopsy.


BACKGROUND
MR images are often used as the primary diagnostic imaging tool and the preoperative study of choice. The need for biopsy may be obviated because of increasingly accurate preoperative histologic diagnosis by MR images.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 39 patients who had undergone MR imaging for preoperative evaluation of spinal cord tumors between September 1989 and February 2008. All patients had operations for spinal cord tumors, which were confirmed at biopsy. Of the 39 patients, 18 were men, and 21 were women. The average follow-up period was 23.8 months. The mean patient age was 46.6 years.


RESULTS
Diagnoses included neurilemmoma (19 cases), neurofibroma (4 cases), meningioma (5 cases), hemangioma (3 cases), giant cell tumor (1 case), ganglioneuroma (1 case), lymphoma (1 case), neuroblastoma (1 case), and metastatic tumor from the prostate (1 case). The remaining 3 cases were composed of arachnoid cysts (2 cases) and a vascular malformation (arteriovenous malformation, 1 case).


CONCLUSIONS
MR images are the preoperative modality of choice in the evaluation of spinal cord tumors. MR images can narrow the differential diagnosis and guide surgical resection.
Chung
Jae Yoon
JY
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
Lee
Jae Joon
JJ
Kim
Hyun Jong
HJ
Seo
Hyung Yeon
HY
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