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MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF CERVICAL SPINAL CORD MENINGIOMAS
Author(s) -
McDonnell John J.,
Tidwell Amy S.,
Faissler Dominik,
Keating John
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
veterinary radiology and ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.541
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1740-8261
pISSN - 1058-8183
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8261.2005.00067.x
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , spinal cord , subarachnoid space , intervertebral foramen , meningioma , anatomy , radiology , pathology , lumbar , cerebrospinal fluid , psychiatry
The records of four dogs with cervical spinal cord meningiomas were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment, history, laboratory findings, neurological examination, and histopathological findings were evaluated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed using a 1.0‐T superconducting magnet and T2‐weighted (W) and noncontrast and postcontrast T1‐W spin echo pulse sequences. Meningiomas were located at the level of the second, third, and fifth cervical vertebrae and the C2–3 intervertebral space. All meningiomas appeared as focal masses that were hyperintense to the spinal cord on T2‐W images and iso‐ to hypointense on the T1‐W images. They could be identified as intradural and extramedullary in origin based on a broad‐based dural margin seen on at least one of the imaging planes and a gradual expansion of the subarachnoid space cranial and caudal to the mass, best noted on the transverse and dorsal plane images. On dorsal plane T2‐W images in three dogs, expansion of the subarachnoid space adjacent to the mass appeared similar to the myelographic “golf tee” sign. All meningiomas exhibited moderate, well‐defined contrast enhancement with dural tails seen in three of the four dogs. One dog had extension into the intervertebral foramen along the nerve and ipsilateral atrophy of the muscles of the neck. By differentiating the meningiomas from intramedullary tumors and by clearly depicting the extent of the masses, MRI provided valuable information about treatment options and prognosis.