American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 16, Issue 2 269-273, Copyright © 1995 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
Contrast-enhanced radicular veins on MR of the lumbar spine in an asymptomatic study group
JI Lane, KK Koeller and JL Atkinson
Department of Radiology, Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA 94627-5000, USA.
PURPOSE: To determine whether radicular enhancement occurs in asymptomatic persons and, if so, to provide insight into the mechanism of such enhancement. METHODS: Thirty asymptomatic volunteers were studied with gadolinium-enhanced MR (0.1 mmol/kg) of the lumbar spine. The precontrast axial T1-weighted sequences were reviewed for the entry section phenomenon of flow-related enhancement. If present, the sequence was repeated in combination with a superior saturation pulse in an attempt to eliminate this phenomenon. All studies were reviewed to document the incidence of radicular enhancement and determine its association with the entry section phenomenon. RESULTS: The entry section phenomenon was observed in 16 of 30 volunteers with successful elimination obtained in all cases. Eighteen of the volunteers demonstrated radicular enhancement; 16 of the 18 enhancing roots were associated with the entry section phenomenon. CONCLUSIONS: Radicular enhancement occurs commonly in asymptomatic volunteers. This phenomenon most likely represents the enhancement of prominent radicular veins. We urge caution in interpreting this finding as abnormal in the symptomatic population with degenerative disk disease.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  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]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 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]
|
|