60 results
Article
Syringocephalus
Syringocephalus , also known as syringoencephalomyelia, is a very rare entity and refers to a syrinx that extends into the cerebrum 1.
Clinical presentation
Patients with this condition demonstrate a wide variety of focal neurological symptoms depending on where the syrinx is located 1.
Patho...
Article
Laminotomy
A laminotomy is a spinal decompression procedure with partial removal of the vertebral arch usually at its base. Laminotomies might be combined with other spinal procedures such as discectomy or spinal fusion procedures. If a laminotomy is combined with a foraminotomy, then the procedure is call...
Article
Central canal
The central canal is the longitudinal CSF-filled space which runs the entire length of the spinal cord and represents the most caudal portion of the ventricular system. It is lined by ependyma.
Gross anatomy
The central canal spans the length of the spinal cord from the caudal angle of the fou...
Article
Scoliosis
Scoliosis (plural: scolioses) is defined as an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. It is quite common in young individuals and is often idiopathic and asymptomatic. In some cases, however, it is the result of underlying structural or neurological abnormalities.
Terminology
Early onset sco...
Article
Craniovertebral junction anomalies
Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies can be congenital, developmental or due to malformation secondary to an acquired disease process. These anomalies can lead to cranial nerve compression, vertebral artery compression, and obstructive hydrocephalus.
Pathology
The craniovertebral junction ...
Article
Intramedullary spinal tumors
Intramedullary spinal tumors are rare, representing 4-10% of all CNS tumors and <10% of all pediatric CNS neoplasms 5. They account for 20% of all intraspinal tumors in adults and 35% of all intraspinal tumors in children 8.
A long duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis is typical.
Pathology
...
Article
Chiari I malformation
Chiari I malformation is the most common variant of the Chiari malformations and is characterized by a caudal descent of the cerebellar tonsils (and brainstem in its subtype, Chiari 1.5) through the foramen magnum. Symptoms are proportional to the degree of descent. MRI is the imaging modality o...
Article
Myelomeningocele
Myelomeningocele, also known as spina bifida cystica, is a complex congenital spinal anomaly that results in spinal cord malformation (myelodysplasia).
Epidemiology
It is one of the most common congenital CNS anomalies and is thought to occur in approximately 1:500 of live births 5. There may...
Article
Lymphoma of the spinal cord
Lymphoma of the spinal cord is an uncommon manifestation of lymphoma. Although lymphoma more commonly involves the vertebral body (vertebral body tumors) or epidural compartment, intramedullary lymphoma may rarely occur.
Apparent intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma may often, in fact, represe...
Article
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect/spinal dysraphism which can occur to varying degrees of severity. It is often considered the most common congenital CNS malformation.
Terminology
Spina bifida in its strictest sense means defective fusion of the vertebral posterior elements, leading...
Article
Spinal metastasis
Spinal metastasis is a vague term that can be variably taken to refer to metastatic disease to any of the following:
vertebral metastases (94%)
may have epidural extension
intradural extramedullary metastases (5%)
intramedullary metastases (1%)
Each of these are discussed separately. Below ...
Article
Lateral spinothalamic tract
The lateral spinothalamic tract, also known as the lateral spinothalamic fasciculus, is an ascending pathway located anterolaterally within the peripheral white matter of the spinal cord. It is primarily responsible for transmitting pain and temperature as well as coarse touch.
The anterior sp...
Article
Anterior spinothalamic tract
The anterior spinothalamic tract, also known as the ventral spinothalamic fasciculus, is an ascending pathway located anteriorly within the spinal cord, primarily responsible for transmitting coarse touch and pressure.
The lateral spinothalamic tract (discussed separately), in contrast, primar...
Article
Spinal pilocytic astrocytoma
Although rare, pilocytic astrocytomas are the most common spinal cord tumors in the pediatric population.
This article specifically relates to spinal pilocytic astrocytomas. For a discussion on intracranial pilocytic astrocytomas refer to pilocytic astrocytoma. For a general discussion on spina...
Article
Intradural spinal mass lesions (an approach)
Intradural spinal mass lesions are relatively uncommon, compared to intracranial or extradural masses, and can be challenging to diagnose. Additionally, the need for a pre-operative/non-operative diagnosis is in many ways greater as biopsy of lesions within the cord has the potential of devastat...
Article
Charcot joint
Charcot joint, also known as a neuropathic joint or Charcot (neuro/osteo)arthropathy, refers to a progressive degenerative/destructive joint disorder in patients with abnormal pain sensation and proprioception.
Epidemiology
In modern Western societies by far the most common cause of Charcot jo...
Article
Rosenthal fibers
Rosenthal fibers are astrocytic cytoplasmic inclusions, typically found in areas of longstanding gliosis. These elongated or "corkscrew" structures occur within astrocytic processes and are brightly eosinophilic (stain bright pink on the H&E stain) 1-3. They represent astrocytic processes swolle...
Article
Torticollis
Torticollis, also known as wry neck, is a clinical finding of head tilt with or without rotational spinal malalignment. It is not a diagnosis in itself and there are a wide range of underlying conditions. It is most common in the pediatric age group.
Pathology
Torticollis can be acute (<1 wee...
Article
Medical devices in the head and neck
Medical devices in the head and neck are regularly seen by radiologists on plain film, CT and MRI. They include devices which pass through the neck into the chest and stomach or ascend to/into the head.
Vascular access devices
dialysis catheters
peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)
...
Article
Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web
Dorsal thoracic arachnoid web refers to a thickened band of arachnoid over the dorsal aspect of the cord. It usually causes a focal thoracic cord distortion with consequent neurological dysfunction.
On imaging, it is characterized by a focal dorsal indentation and anterior displacement of the ...
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