[Neuroradiology of the spinal cord]

In recent years MR has assumed a central and key role in neuroradiological evaluation of the spinal cord. Because of its noninvasiveness and high sensitivity in the detection of intramedullary lesions, it represents the method of choice today for the work-up of acute, chronic and traumatic myelopathies. The main limiting factor of MR is its rather low specificity. For this reason the clinical history as well as the neurological and laboratory findings continue to be of major importance in arriving at a definite diagnosis. The method is contraindicated in patients with pacemakers or other intracorporeal paramagnetic devices. It is relatively contraindicated in claustrophobic patients. In these cases MR should be replaced by myelography or CT-myelography. For the diagnosis of vascular diseases of the spinal cord, specifically vascular malformations and hypervascular tumors (e.g. hemangioblastoma), selective spinal angiography represents an essential adjunct to MR. Selective angiography can also be used therapeutically to treat preoperatively or definitely vascular malformations (i.e. interventional neuroradiology).