Magnetic resonance imaging in myelopathy: a pictorial review

Clin Imaging. 2019 Sep-Oct:57:56-68. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2019.05.002. Epub 2019 May 17.

Abstract

Myelopathies have multiple causes and broad differential diagnoses, including demyelinating, metabolic, vascular and neoplastic disorders, often with distinctive imaging manifestations. Compressive myelopathy, especially of degenerative and neoplastic origin, is the most common cause of myelopathy, followed by inflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis, acute disseminating encephalomyelitis, neuromyelitis optica, and transverse myelitis of other etiologies. An accurate and early diagnosis will guide the treatment and will provide information about the prognosis of the patient. The aim of this review is to illustrate the magnetic resonance imaging features of different etiologies of myelopathy.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Myelopathy; Spinal cord.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / adverse effects
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Myelitis, Transverse / diagnostic imaging
  • Neuromyelitis Optica
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology