Pediatric spinal neoplasms

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an accurate and noninvasive tool in the evaluation of children with spinal neoplasm. Localization and definition of site and extent of disease for treatment planning, the most important goals of neuroimaging in spinal neoplastic disease, have become more precise with MRI, because all spinal compartments can be seen without the need for subarachnoid puncture. Epidural and contiguous soft tissue disease, and associated vertebral abnormalities such as marrow replacement by metastatic processes, are readily confirmed during the same examination. In children, as in adults, gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid aids in separating intramedullary neoplasms from associated edema or syrinx, and is essential in the evaluation of intradural-extramedullary spread of neoplasm. MRI is also useful in the exclusion of compressive lesions in children with systemic neoplasms and cord infarction or treatment-related transverse myelopathy.