Role of MRI in differentiating various causes of non-traumatic paraparesis and tetraparesis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of various causes of non-traumatic paraparesis and tetraparesis in adults based only on the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). DESIGN: Non-interventional descriptive study carried out from May 2001 to October 2002 at Radiology Department, CMH, Rawalpindi. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 100 adult patients who presented with non-traumatic paraparesis or tetraparesis, were studied. MRI spine of all the patients and MRI brain of selected patients, was carried out. Based on MRI findings alone causes of non-traumatic paraparesis and tetraparesis were categorized. RESULTS: Paraparesis was more frequent than tetraparesis. Cord compression was found in 72% cases. Neoplastic compression, infective spondylitis and non-compressive myelopathies were the main causes of paraparesis while spondylotic myelopathy was the main cause of tetraparesis. CONCLUSION: Based upon MRI findings causes of non-traumatic paraparesis or tetraparesis can be subcategorized into spondylotic, infective or neoplastic cord compression and non-compressive myelopathies. Further subcategorization of neoplastic lesions according to their compartment of origin can also be done.