RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Value of Intravenous Contrast Enhancement in the CT Evaluation of Intraspinal Tumors
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 939
OP 943
VO 6
IS 6
A1 J. S. Lapointe
A1 D. A. Graeb
A1 R. A. Nugent
A1 W. D. Robertson
YR 1985
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/6/6/939.abstract
AB The usefulness of intravenous contrast-enhanced CT in delineating intraspinal cord tumors has not been well documented. To determine if intradural spinal tumors enhance, if the location and type of tumor can be determined, and if a double dose of contrast material provides more information than a single dose, a retrospective study of 23 patients with proven intradural extramedullary or intramedullary tumors was performed. All the tumors studied with CT after intravenous contrast enhancement showed that most lesions (18/23) enhanced, contrary to published reports. Contrast-enhanced studies delineated the extent of the tumor, helping to separate solid and cystic components. The enhancement pattern of ependymomas and astrocytomas was similar, while schwannomas had a characteristic appearance. A double dose of intravenous contrast material had no apparent advantage over a single dose.