Spinal Cord in Multiple Sclerosis: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features and Differential Diagnosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an idiopathic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that affects not only the brain but also the spinal cord. In the diagnostic and monitoring process of MS, spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not performed as commonly as brain MRI, mainly because of certain technical difficulties and the increase in total acquisition time. Nonetheless, spinal cord MRI findings are important to establish a prompt accurate diagnosis of MS, impart prognostic information, and provide valuable data for monitoring the disease course in certain cases. In this article, we discuss the technical aspects of spinal cord MRI, the typical MRI features of the spinal cord in MS, the clinical indications for this examination, and the differential diagnosis with other disorders that may produce similar clinical or MRI findings.
Department of Radiology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: alex.rovira@idi.gencat.cat.
Alex
A
Rovira
Department of Radiology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Cristina
C
Auger
D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D059906:Neuroimaging / Q000379:methods*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media