The lesion is heterogenous in signal intensity, but is predominantly mildly T2 hyperintense compared to muscle, and does not enhance with contrast. The mass causes significant mass effect on the spinal cord at the level of C5 and C6, deviating the thecal sac and cord to the right, obliterating surrounding CSF signal. No associated cord or bone edema signal changes are observed. The left vertebral artery courses anterior and medial to the lesion, with moderate compressive narrowing at the level of the C5/C6 disc space, but maintains normal intraluminal signal flow void cephalad to the mass.