CT and MRI features of patients with diastematomyelia

To evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients with diastematomyelia and to investigate clinical characteristics of this lesion.

A retrospectively study.

The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University.

A total of 82 diastematomyelia cases were retrospectively studied. All the patients underwent neurological examinations as well as MRI and CT of the spine. A self-established neurological functional grading system was used, and posterior tibial nerve somatosensory cortical-evoked potential (PTNSCEP) was measured to assess the neurological status of the patients. Imaging features of symmetry of splitting, presence of septum, location of lesion and number of split segments were studied. The neurological functional grading, PTNSCEP, and imaging findings were then analyzed and compared, and the difference was considered to be significant if P-value was lower than 0.05.

Neurological functional grading and latency of PTNSCEP were significantly different but related in terms of symmetry of splitting, presence of septum and location of lesion. Although no significant differences were present in the number of split segments, the severity of the neurological functional grading and PTNSCEP impairment were not related to the number of split segments.

The imaging features in diastematomyelia are characteristic and relate well with the clinical manifestations according to neurological functional grading and PTNSCEP measurement, except the number of split segments.