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The contracting cord sign of multiple sclerosis
Neuroradiology
|April 26, 1979
Summary
A novel sign, the contracting cord sign, may indicate multiple sclerosis (MS). This sign involves a spinal cord appearing large on myelography and then shrinking, aiding MS diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis relies on identifying characteristic lesions in the central nervous system.
- Spinal cord involvement in MS can present with various imaging findings.
Observation:
- A new myelographic sign, termed the 'contracting cord sign,' is described.
- This sign is characterized by an enlarged spinal cord that subsequently decreases in size during myelography.
Findings:
- The contracting cord sign may suggest the presence of multiple sclerosis.
- It is crucial to consider MS in the differential diagnosis of an enlarged spinal cord.
Implications:
- This sign offers a potential new diagnostic clue for spinal MS.
- Further research is needed to validate the contracting cord sign's specificity and sensitivity.