CT examination of spinal tumours

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Spinal, intraspinal, and paraspinal tumors require accurate diagnostic imaging.
• Computed tomography (CT) is a key imaging modality for evaluating these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CT in assessing spinal, intraspinal, and paraspinal tumors.
• To compare CT findings with surgical outcomes and conventional myelography.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography (CT) was performed on 45 patients with spinal, intraspinal, or paraspinal tumors.
• Surgical findings and conventional myelography results were used for comparison.

Main Results:

• CT examinations revealed pathological findings in all cases.
• CT accurately determined tumor extent, with only minor discrepancies compared to surgery.
• CT demonstrated superiority over other methods for extradural tumors and bone involvement.
• CT was essential for differentiating solid from cystic intramedullary lesions.
• Intrathecal contrast enhanced CT for intraspinal tumors, particularly in the thoracic and cervical regions.

Conclusions:

• CT is a highly effective tool for diagnosing and staging spinal, intraspinal, and paraspinal tumors.
• CT provides crucial information for surgical planning and differentiating lesion types.
• The addition of intrathecal contrast to CT improves diagnostic yield for intraspinal tumors.