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Fig 2. Axial section of the first (A) and second (B) dynamic phase of the CE-MRA examination. In both phases a cross-section at the 10th thoracic vertebral level shows the aorta and the intra- and extradural vessels. In the first phase (A) there is only enhancement on the midline of the anterior side of the spinal cord. This enhancement corresponds with the cross-section of the ASA (white arrow). The second phase (B) shows enhancement in the midline of both the anterior (white arrow) and posterior surface (black arrow) of the spinal cord. As there usually is only one vessel running along the midline of the posterior surface, the posterior median vein (black arrow), there must also be venous enhancement on the anterior surface. Therefore both the ASA and AMV are displayed on the midline of the anterior surface of the spinal cord in the second phase (B). Because of their close anatomic relation, no separation can be achieved between the ASA and AMV in the second phase (B). Again note the strong enhancement of the epidural venous plexus (black arrowheads) in the second phase (B).
