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Fig 1. Coronal curved multiplanar reformation of the first dynamic phase of the CE-MRA examination (A), postmortem spinal cord specimens (B and C), and the second dynamic phase (D) of the anterior spinal cord surface. In the first (ie, arterial) dynamic phase (A) only the anterior spinal artery (ASA) (white arrowheads) and the AKA (white arrow) are depicted. The AKA derived from the left 8th thoracic segmental artery (SA) according to the CE-MRA (A) in agreement with the postmortem specimen (B). On the anterior cord surface of the postmortem specimens (B and C) both the ASA (white arrowheads) and anterior median vein (AMV) (black arrowheads) are visualized. Furthermore, the anterior radiculomedullary vein (black arrows) could be identified. This vein entered the epidural space at the left 12th thoracic vertebral level (C). Note the close anatomical relation (B and C) between the ASA (white arrowheads) and the AMV (black arrowheads), which explains that these vessels are not spatially resolved in the second-phase image (D). The second dynamic phase (D) shows a diminished signal intensity of the AKA (white arrow). In contrast to the first-phase angiogram (A), the anterior radiculomedullary vein (black arrows) is visualized and localized in the second-phase angiogram (D) and was in agreement with the postmortem specimen (C). In the midline the combination of the ASA (white arrowheads) and AMV (black arrowheads) are visualized. Note the strong enhancement of the epidural venous plexus (asterisk) in the second phase (D).
