Hodgkin's disease of spine: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Early recognition of spinal block in a young man by magnetic resonance imaging and immediate surgical decompression of the spinal cord by removing the epidural mass, which proved to be Hodgkin's disease, was a determining factor in the complete neurologic recovery of the patient. Postoperative and postchemotherapy repeat magnetic resonance imaging showed complete resolution of the compressing mass. We believe that magnetic resonance imaging has a prominent role in the diagnosis and follow-up studies of spinal lesions without the inherent risks of other neurologic diagnostic procedures.