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MR imaging of cerebrospinal fluid flow and spinal cord motion in neurologic disorders of the spine.
- Source :
-
Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America [Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am] 1999 Aug; Vol. 7 (3), pp. 573-87. - Publication Year :
- 1999
-
Abstract
- In summary, MR imaging of CSF and cord motion helps to evaluate diseases affecting cord and CSF motion and to identify the specific pathophysiology involved. A number of significant points have been made. First, MR imaging flow studies can be useful in evaluating CSF spaces and cystic diseases. Second, longitudinal and transverse motions occur in the spinal cord and CSF. Traveling wave motion occurs along the length of the spinal cord. Third, spinal cord tethering is associated with decreased cord velocity and loss of cord displacement at tethering site. Decreased transverse velocities occur with lateral cord tethering to the spinal canal. Fourth, in spinal dysraphism, longitudinal cord velocity is decreased by tethering, and is normal in asymptomatic patients with low conus. Normal cord motion helps to rule out possible tethering in symptomatic dysraphism with hydromyelia. Fifth, in acquired and nonmyelodysplastic symptomatic tethering, spinal cord motion is decreased. Sixth, in symptomatic cord compression, CSF flow and cord motion decrease, but recover after surgical decompression and after compensatory atrophy. Seventh, in asymptomatic spinal stenosis, cord motion is normal or increased. Diffuse spinal stenosis with cord atrophy leads to diffuse cord acceleration and prolonged cord caudal velocity, possibly related to the loss of the transverse mobility of the cord. Finally, focal spinal stenosis leads to focal dynamic cord deformation and can be associated with prominent intramedullary deformations. When compression is severe or symptomatic, cord motion is significantly decreased. Postoperative cases demonstrate good recovery of cord and CSF motion, unless compression or obstruction is still present.
- Subjects :
- Cysts diagnosis
Cysts physiopathology
Humans
Movement
Spinal Cord abnormalities
Spinal Cord Compression cerebrospinal fluid
Spinal Cord Compression diagnosis
Spinal Cord Compression physiopathology
Spinal Cord Diseases cerebrospinal fluid
Spinal Cord Diseases physiopathology
Spinal Dysraphism cerebrospinal fluid
Spinal Dysraphism diagnosis
Spinal Dysraphism physiopathology
Spinal Stenosis cerebrospinal fluid
Spinal Stenosis diagnosis
Spinal Stenosis physiopathology
Syringomyelia cerebrospinal fluid
Syringomyelia diagnosis
Syringomyelia physiopathology
Cerebrospinal Fluid physiology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Spinal Cord physiopathology
Spinal Cord Diseases diagnosis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1064-9689
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10494536