MRI evaluation of diastematomyelia and associated abnormalities

Fourteen children were studied with a 1Tesla scanner to assess the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the recognition and evaluation of diastematomyelia and associated abnormalities. With MRI divided spinal cord was well imaged in its entire craniocaudal extent. Fibrous bands or bony septum when it contained a marrow cavity, were also well depicted. Direct visualization of the spinal cord itself is probably the most rewarding feature of MR imaging compared with other more conventional techniques. MR imaging demonstrated associated syringohydromyelia, segmentation anomalies, scoliosis, low position of the conus medularis and intradural lipoma that they were not detected with other radiologic studies.