MRI Features and Diagnostic Value of Multiple Sclerosis in Spinal Cord

Objective To explore the findings of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of multiple sclerosis(MS) in spinal cord,and assess the diagnostic value of MRI.Methods Total 17 cases of spinal cord MS proved by clinic were retrospectively analyzed,included 6 males and 11 females,aged 20~63 years,mean age (33±9.6) years.All patients performed nonenhanced and enhanced MR scanning of spine and brain.Results In the research,7 cases had isolated lesions whereas other 10 cases had multiple lesions in spinal cord.The pathological changes invaded the cervical(n=9,52.9%),thoracic(n=4,23.5%),spine and both(n=4,23.5%),8 cases complicated with brain MS lesions.The lesions shape were patchy or strip-like,invaded the gray and white matter of the spinal cord at same time.On sagittal images,lesions were paralleled to the long axis of spinal cord,ranged from 1 to 5 vertebrae areas,and the pathological extent of 11 cases were more than 2 vertebral bodies.The lesions demonstrated hypo-intensity(n=3,17.6%) or iso-intensity(n=14,82.4%) on T1WI and totally high signal intensity on T2WI with swelling spinal cord of 10 cases.Abnormal patchy of ring-like enhancement were detected in 11 cases after giving Gd-DTPA contrast medium.Conclusion Spinal cord MS has some special findings on MRI,and MRI could provided useful diagnostic information in MS of spinal cord.