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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
MR findings of the spinal paraganglioma : report of three cases
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Taegu, Korea.
Abstract:
Extraadrenal paragangliomas involving the spine is less common and usually takes the form of intradural compression of the cauda equina. The authors report three cases of spinal paragangliomas resulting in extradural spinal cord compression and their MR findings. The MR imaging revealed a well-demarcated extradural mass with low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-weighted images compared to paravertebral muscles. After Gd-DTPA administration, heterogeneous and intense enhancement was found. Multiple punctate and serpiginous structures of signal void due to high-velocity flow were noted around and within the tumors on all sequences. In one case, the signal void structures were well corresponded with feeding arteries on angiography. These may be the characteristic findings of the extraadrenal paraganglioma involving the spine.
Insights
Extraadrenal spinal paragangliomas are rare tumors that can compress the spinal cord. MRI reveals characteristic signal voids indicating high-velocity flow within these extradural masses.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Extraadrenal paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors.
- Spinal involvement typically presents as intradural cauda equina compression.
- Extradural spinal cord compression by these tumors is less common.
Observation:
- This study reports three cases of spinal paragangliomas causing extradural spinal cord compression.
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was utilized to evaluate the tumors.
- Clinical and imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.
Findings:
- MR imaging demonstrated well-demarcated extradural masses.
- Tumors exhibited low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate to high signal intensity on T2-weighted images.
- Heterogeneous and intense enhancement was observed post-Gd-DTPA administration.
- Characteristic findings included multiple punctate and serpiginous signal voids, indicative of high-velocity flow, within and around the tumors.
Implications:
- These MR imaging findings may be characteristic of extraadrenal paragangliomas involving the spine.
- Recognition of these features can aid in diagnosis and surgical planning.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the specificity of these imaging findings.
