Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Spinal extradural tumors, although uncommon, have high morbidity and mortality rates. Radiographs and computed tomography scans are typically used to assess and determine the characteristics of these tumors. ⋯ Imaging features, such as type of matrix, cortical involvement, and margins, aid in determining the diagnosis. This article discusses common and infrequent extradural spinal tumors, their imaging characteristics, and how age, location, and clinical presentation help in diagnosing these neoplasms.
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There are various mass-like lesions that can mimic true neoplasms in the spine, including inflammatory, infectious, vascular, congenital, and degenerative etiologies. While some lesions have distinctive imaging features that suggest a correct diagnosis, others have overlapping characteristics that do not allow their differentiation based solely on their imaging findings. For entities with nonspecific imaging features, knowledge of the clinical and laboratory information is critical to provide an accurate diagnosis.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2023
ReviewDynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Perfusion: Role in Diagnosis and Treatment Follow-Up in Patients with Vertebral Body Tumors.
Recent therapeutic advances have led to increased survival times for patients with metastatic disease. Key to survival is early diagnosis and subsequent treatment as well as early detection of treatment failure allowing for therapy modifications. Conventional MR imaging techniques of the spine can be at times suboptimal for identifying viable tumor, as structural changes and imaging characteristics may not differ pretreatment and posttreatment. Advanced imaging techniques such as DCE-MRI can allow earlier and more accurate noninvasive assessment of viable disease by characterizing physiologic changes and tumor microvasculature.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2023
ReviewConventional and Advanced Imaging of Spinal Cord Tumors.
Spinal cord tumors are best identified by conventional MR imaging with contrast. Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors have characteristic MR imaging features that allow an accurate preoperative diagnosis. ⋯ Rare tumors such as primary CNS lymphoma and melanocytic tumors are also described. Advanced imaging techqniques of more common intramedullary tumors are also reviewed.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2023
ReviewIntradural Extramedullary Tumors and Associated Syndromes.
Most intradural tumors are located within the intradural extramedullary compartment, and the most common tumors are schwannomas and meningiomas. Other less common neoplasms include neurofibroma, solitary fibrous tumor, myxopapillary ependymoma, lymphoma, metastatic leptomeningeal disease, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and paraganglioma. ⋯ MRI is the modality of choice for detecting and evaluating intradural extramedullary spinal tumors. This imaging technique helps narrow the differential diagnosis and therefore decide treatment.