Compressive myelopathy

Case contributed by Albina Polianskaia
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chronic neck pain

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female
mri
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T1
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T2
This study is a stack
Sagittal
STIR
This study is a stack
Axial
T2
This study is a stack
Axial T2
fat sat
This study is a stack
Axial T2
fat sat
Show annotations
Download
Info

Severe cervical degenerative changes that cause obliteration of the subarachnoid space greater than 50% at the C2-C4 levels without deformity of the spinal cord.

There are foci of increased T2 signal bilaterally in the central grey matter at the level of the C3-C4 disc (snake eye sign, also known as owl-eyes sign) suggestive of compressive myelopathy.

Case Discussion

This case illustrates the typical appearance of the cervical cord owl-eyes sign also known as snake-eyes sign secondary to chronic compressive myelopathy with kyphotic deformity.

It's believed to represent a wide range of pathological changes resulting from spinal cord compression, from reversible edema and inflammation to irreversible ischemia and cystic necrosis.

Case courtesy of Dra. Ana Cecilia Sánchez González.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

:

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.