Magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic epidural venous dilation in Hirayama disease

Neurology. 2004 Apr 27;62(8):1426-8. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000120665.81001.40.

Abstract

Hirayama disease is a nonprogressive, asymmetric amyotrophy of the hands and forearms, possibly caused by compression of the lower cervical cord on neck flexion. The authors used phase-contrast MR angiography to study a patient with this disorder and observed abnormal spinal epidural venous dilation on neck flexion. In addition to mechanical compression of the lower cervical cord, venous congestion in the spinal canal may have a role in promoting anterior horn damage.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / complications
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / complications
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / diagnosis*
  • Epidural Space / blood supply*
  • Epidural Space / pathology
  • Forearm / innervation
  • Forearm / physiopathology
  • Gadolinium DTPA
  • Hand / innervation
  • Hand / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Motor Neuron Disease / diagnosis
  • Muscular Atrophy / diagnosis
  • Muscular Atrophy / etiology
  • Neck
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / complications
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / physiopathology*
  • Thorax*
  • Veins / pathology
  • Veins / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Gadolinium DTPA