Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of intramedullary spinal cord tumors

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was found useful in the evaluation and management of patients with intramedullary tumors. Both T1 and T2 weighted images are mandatory for depicting intramedullary pathology and sizable change of the spinal cord. Intratumoral cysts and syrinxes were often associated with tumors and shown as a low signal intensity on the T1 weighted image. Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous iodine showed enhancement of tumor nodules, in all mixed gliomas, ependymomas and hemangioblastomas. Enhanced MRI using gadolinium-DTPA is equal or superior to enhanced CT in localizing intramedullary tumors.