VASCULAR NEOPLASMS AND MALFORMATIONS, ISCHEMIA, AND HEMORRHAGE AFFECTING THE SPINAL-CORD - MR-IMAGING FINDINGS

This essay illustrates the imaging spectrum of vascular neoplasms and malformations, ischemia, and hemorrhage affecting the spinal cord. Mos t of these abnormalities occur far more frequently in the brain. The g oal of this essay is to provide a sound anatomic and radiologic basis for the evaluation of these diseases. Knowledge of the unique cross-se ctional anatomy, blood supply, and venous drainage of the spinal cord is essential in understanding the radiographic appearance of certain v ascular lesions. The superior spatial resolution of fast spin-echo pul se sequences and improvements in Mn angiography have expanded the role of Mn imaging in the diagnosis of spinal cord diseases. These techniq ues are emphasized in this essay, and potential diagnostic pitfalls ar e highlighted. The diseases illustrated are grouped in the categories of enlarged vessels, ischemia, and hemorrhage.