Spinal cord ischemia: practical imaging tips, pearls, and pitfalls

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Spinal cord ischemia is a rare condition with a poor prognosis.
• Diagnosis of spinal cord ischemia is challenging, particularly in pediatric patients.
• Unlike brain ischemia, spinal cord ischemia presents diagnostic difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the principal causes of spinal cord ischemia in children and adults.
• To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic techniques for spinal cord ischemia.
• To discuss the pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, current knowledge, and future perspectives.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on spinal cord ischemia.
• Discussion of diagnostic techniques including MR imaging (diffusion, spinal MR angiography, 1.5T vs. 3T).
• Analysis of pathophysiology and differential diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Spinal cord ischemia diagnosis remains difficult, especially in children.
• MR imaging techniques offer various diagnostic approaches.
• Understanding pathophysiology and differential diagnosis is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Spinal cord ischemia requires careful diagnostic consideration, particularly in pediatric cases.
• Advanced MR imaging plays a key role in diagnosis.
• Further research is needed to improve understanding and management.