Spinal Cord Topographical Anatomy and its Role in Evaluating IntramedullaryLesions

Publication date: Available online 18 September 2017
Source:Current Problems in Diagnostic Radiology
Author(s): J.A. Spain, S. Cressman, H. Marin, S.C. Patel, J.J. Corrigan, B. Griffith
Intramedullary spinal lesions present a wide differential diagnosis including infectious, inflammatory, traumatic, ischemic, benign or malignant neoplastic etiologies. Using knowledge of anatomy and physiology within the spinal cord, many similar appearing entities can be parsed into a prioritized differential. The purpose of this article is to review anatomy and pathophysiology of the spinal cord, with subsequent discussion of how this knowledge can be used to differentiate several similar appearing intramedullary pathologic processes. Discussion includes the pathophysiology, imaging findings, and clinical pearls of several intramural lesions including infarct, demyelinating lesions, traumatic injury, neoplasm, vascular malformation, and metabolic processes such as subacute combined degeneration.



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