Spinal vascular lesions: anatomy, imaging techniques and treatment

Valerio Da Ros; Eliseo Picchi; Valentina Ferrazzoli; Tommaso Schirinzi; Federico Sabuzi; Piergiorgio Grillo; Massimo Muto; Francesco Garaci; Mario Muto; Francesca Di Giuliano

doi:10.1016/j.ejro.2021.100369

Spinal vascular lesions: anatomy, imaging techniques and treatment

Eur J Radiol Open. 2021 Jul 14:8:100369. doi: 10.1016/j.ejro.2021.100369. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Diagnostic Imaging Unit, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, 00133, Italy.
² Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, 00133, Italy.
³ Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, 00133, Italy.
⁴ Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, 80100, Italy.
⁵ Department of Neuroradiology, A.O.R.N. Cardarelli, Naples, 80100, Italy.
⁶ San Raffaele Cassino, Via Gaetano di Biasio 1, Cassino, 03043, Italy.

Abstract

Background: Vascular lesions of the spinal cord are rare but potentially devastating conditions whose accurate recognition critically determines the clinical outcome. Several conditions lead to myelopathy due to either arterial ischemia, venous congestion or bleeding within the cord. The clinical presentation varies, according with the different aetiology and mechanism of damage.

Purpose: The aim is to provide a comprehensive review on the radiological features of the most common vascular myelopathies, passing through the knowledge of the vascular spinal anatomy and the clinical aspects of the different aetiologies, which is crucial to promptly address the diagnosis and the radiological assessment.

Keywords: MRI; Neuroimaging; Spinal angiography; Spinal cord anatomy; Vascular myelopathies; Vascular spinal cord lesions.

Publication types

Review