Posttraumatic spinal cord cysts: clinical features and characterization with metrizamide computed tomography

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Radiology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.146.2.6849087· OSTI ID:5601237

Quencer, R M; Green, B A; Eismont, F J

Sixteen patients with posttraumatic spinal cord cysts (PTSCC) were evaluated clinically and studied with metrizamide computed tomography (MCT). These patients presented months to years following a severe spinal cord injury, usually with new or progressively worsening neurological symptoms. The development of the PTSCC was unrelated to the location, type, and severity of injury, or to the time interval from the original injury. MCT showed that these cysts occur most frequently in normal or atrophic cords, they may be multiple, they most frequently are found in the dorsal portion of the cord, and they may vary along their length in width and position within the cord. Knowledge of this radiographic morphology is crucial to the surgical planning. The location of the cysts and the mode of their enlargement are correlated with anatomic features of the spinal cord and changes in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. Cyst-to-subarachnoid space shunting relieves the majority of symptoms.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Miami School of Medicine, FL
• OSTI ID: 5601237
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 146:2; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
AMIDES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
CONTRAST MEDIA
DATA
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
INJURIES
METRIZAMIDE
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
SPINAL CORD
TOMOGRAPHY