Is the "snake-eye" MRI sign correlated to anterior spinal artery occlusion on CT angiography in cervical spondylotic myelopathy and amyotrophy?
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to identify anterior spinal artery (ASA) occlusion by CT angiography in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and amyotrophy (CSA) with T2-weighted hyperintensity of MR image of documented small intramedullary high signal intensity known as "snake-eye appearance" (SEA).


METHODS
One hundred and six patients with CSM were admitted to the investigator group between June 2010 and June 2013. Intramedullary high signal intensity was found in 42 cases and was divided into two types, SEA and non-SEA. SEA was observed in 10 patients, including seven CSM patients and three CSA patients. All SEA patients were performed CT angiography of ASA after admission.


RESULTS
The ASA was visualized in all 10 patients. ASA incomplete occlusion was found in one CSA patient and one CSM patient. No ASA occlusion was found in other CSA and CSM patients with SEA.


CONCLUSIONS
ASA occlusion is not commonly seen in CSM and CSA patients with SEA. Pathological changes about SEA in CSM and CSA have no close correlation with ASA occlusion, but may be with anterior radiculomedullary arteries.
Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, 183 Xinqiao Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400037, China, zhangz3@126.com.
Zhengfeng
Z
Zhang
Honggang
H
Wang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed