title: Spinal cavernous malformations: magnetic resonance imaging and associated findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We reviewed the clinical features, brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and associated abnormalities in six patients with spinal cavernous malformations (CMs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Lesions were defined on gradient-recalled echo (GRE) images but measured on T2-weighted images performed on 1.5- and 3-tesla clinical scanners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients had associated multiple cranial CMs and one patient had multiple spinal CMs. All spinal CMs were predominantly hypointense on GRE images, and most were predominantly hyperintense and surrounded by hypointense edge on T2-weighted images. Other associations included asymptomatic vertebral body and splenic haemangiomas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that intramedullary spinal CMs typically have 'mulberry' or 'popcorn' appearances similar to those of cranial CM. The presence of associated haemangioma or familial cranial CM syndrome on MR imaging may suggest the correct diagnosis without requiring invasive investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Amogh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hegde
authors.forename: Suyash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: Kheng Kooi
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: C C Tchoyoson
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020786:Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009386:Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology