American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 14, Issue 1 193-202, Copyright © 1993 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
MR of enhancing nerve roots in the unoperated lumbosacral spine
JR Jinkins
Neuroradiology Section, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7800.
PURPOSE: To evaluate prospectively the unoperated lumbosacral spine by gadolinium-enhanced MR for evidence of clinically correlative abnormal enhancement of nerve roots. METHODS: Two hundred patients were prospectively studied with intravenous gadolinium- (0.1 mmol/kg) enhanced MR. Evidence was sought of intrathecal enhancement of lumbosacral nerve root(s), and the correlation of this enhancement with the clinical syndrome was evaluated. RESULTS: Ten patients demonstrated abnormally enhancing lumbosacral nerve root(s) (5%). Of these, seven (70%) were associated with focally protruding disk pathology. The three (30%) remaining patients had isolated enhancement of multiple nerve roots in the absence of significant associated anatomic pathology. Overall, the correlation of radicular enhancement with the presenting clinical syndrome was excellent. CONCLUSION: A breakdown in the blood- nerve barrier as observed on gadolinium-enhanced MR serves as a marker for nerve root pathology in the unoperated lumbosacral spine, which may have clinical relevance in certain clinical situations.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  S. Kobayashi, K. Uchida, K. Takeno, H. Baba, Y. Suzuki, K. Hayakawa, and H. Yoshizawa Imaging of Cauda Equina Edema in Lumbar Canal Stenosis By Using Gadolinium-Enhanced MR Imaging: Experimental Constriction Injury. AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., February 1, 2006; 27(2): 346 - 353. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. P. Meyers, S. L. Wildenhain, J.-K. Chang, E. C. Bourekas, P. F. Beattie, D. N. Korones, D. Davis, I. F. Pollack, and R. A. Zimmerman Postoperative Evaluation for Disseminated Medulloblastoma Involving the Spine: Contrast-enhanced MR Findings, CSF Cytologic Analysis, Timing of Disease Occurrence, and Patient Outcomes AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., October 1, 2000; 21(9): 1757 - 1765. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. M. Quencer The American Journal of Neuroradiology 1980-1999 Where We Have Been: Where We Are Going AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., January 1, 2000; 21(1): 1 - 8. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. D. BODEN Current Concepts Review - The Use of Radiographic Imaging Studies in the Evaluation of Patients Who Have Degenerative Disorders of the Lumbar Spine J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., January 1, 1996; 78(1): 114 - 24. [Full Text]
|
|