Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors are rare neoplasms that can result in significant patient morbidity and mortality. Symptom onset is often insidious and not specific; thus, imaging is imperative for accurate diagnosis and localization of these tumors. Radiologists should be familiar with the key MR imaging features of common and unusual intramedullary tumors, in order to identify the most likely diagnosis or at a minimum develop an accurate differential diagnosis as this in turn will guide management.