Compressive myelopathy

Last revised by Dr Mostafa El-Feky ◉ on 06 Feb 2022

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

Abdelmonem, H., El-Feky, M. Compressive myelopathy. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 27 May 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-61360

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-61360

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/61360?iframe=true

rID:

61360

Article created:

29 Jun 2018 by Dr Heba Abdelmonem

Revisions:

10 times by 6 users - see full revision history

System:

Spine, Central Nervous System

Section:

Tag:

rg_36_6_edit

Synonyms:

Compressive myelopathies

Compressive myelopathy refers to neurological deficits that result from compression of the spinal cord. It most commonly occurs in the cervical spinal cord.

Pathology

Any cause of spinal canal stenosis including disc herniation, osteophytes, spinal osteochondroma, extradural mass, and/or paravertebral ligamentous ossification ^1,2.

Radiographic features

MRI

Intramedullary T2 hyperintense signal in the setting of symptoms of acute cord compression is an urgent finding and probably indicates acute cord edema and ischemia ³.

These have been associated with worse outcomes: ³

high T2 signal intensity in a compressed segment relative to a non-compressed segment
low T1 signal intensity change with high T2 signal intensity at the compressed segment