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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Diffusion Imaging in the Rat Cervical Spinal Cord
Published on: April 7, 2015
Diffusion-weighted MRI of spinal cord infarction--high resolution imaging and time course of diffusion abnormality
Wilhelm Küker1, Michael Weller, Uwe Klose
1Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Germany. wmkueker@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Abstract:
Infarction is a rare cause of spinal cord dysfunction. Whereas diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI has been established as a highly sensitive technique for assessing acute cerebral ischemia, its role in spinal cord infarction remains to be determined. The purpose of this study is to present the signal characteristics of acute spinal cord ischemia using DWMRI within the first two days and after one week. MRI including DW imaging (DWI) was performed in three patients with acute spinal cord dysfunction 8, 12 and 30 hours after the onset of symptoms and repeated after one week in two patients. Two initial scans included EPI DW sequences in transverse and sagittal orientation. The remaining examinations were performed with an optimised high-spatial resolution DWI sequence in the transverse plane. The diagnosis of spinal cord ischemia was established by imaging, clinical history and CSF analysis. T2 signal abnormality and restricted diffusion was demonstrated in all initial examinations. Transverse DW sequences had the highest sensitivity. The spinal infarctions were mainly located in the centre of the spinal cord and the grey matter. Contrast enhancement was absent. After one week, the restricted diffusion had normalised (pseudo normalisation) whereas the T2 signal changes had become more prominent. Restricted diffusion in the course of spinal cord ischemic infarction can be demonstrated using DW-MRI. Whereas a diffusion abnormality can be found after few hours, it does not last for longer than one week. At this time, the establishment of the diagnosis has to rely mainly on T2-weighted images with additional post contrast T1-weighted images being useful.
Insights
Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) detects spinal cord infarction early. However, diffusion abnormalities normalize within a week, making T2-weighted images crucial for later diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Spinal cord infarction is a rare cause of neurological dysfunction.
- Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is sensitive for cerebral ischemia, but its utility in spinal cord infarction is under investigation.
Observation:
- DW-MRI signal characteristics were evaluated in three patients with acute spinal cord dysfunction within 48 hours and after one week.
- Initial examinations revealed T2 signal abnormalities and restricted diffusion, with transverse DW sequences showing highest sensitivity.
- Spinal infarctions were primarily located in the spinal cord's center and grey matter, with no contrast enhancement.
Findings:
- Restricted diffusion was evident in acute spinal cord ischemia using DW-MRI within hours of symptom onset.
- Diffusion abnormalities normalized (pseudonormalized) by one week, while T2 signal changes became more pronounced.
- Transverse DW sequences demonstrated the highest sensitivity for detecting acute spinal cord infarction.
Implications:
- DW-MRI is valuable for early diagnosis of spinal cord infarction, detecting diffusion abnormalities within hours.
- The transient nature of diffusion abnormalities necessitates reliance on T2-weighted and post-contrast T1-weighted MRI for diagnosis after one week.
- This study highlights the evolving role of advanced MRI techniques in diagnosing rare neurological events like spinal cord infarction.
