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Three-dimensional (3D) MR Myelography is a new technique using constructive interference steady-state (CISS) sequences, which are characterized by a symmetric flow compensation enhancing CSF signal intensity compared with neural and extradural structures. 3D myelographic projections with different rotation angles are obtained from the 3D dataset with a mathematical algorithm called maximum intensity projection (MIP). Myelographic projections yield a global view of subarachnoid spaces and of root sleeves with no intrathecal contrast agent injection. This study was aimed at assessing the feasibility, the clinical value and the diagnostic accuracy of 3D MR Myelography in comparison with conventional myelography. From September 1992 to January 1994, thirty-five myelograms were performed. The study population consisted of 10 volunteers, 8 patients with traumatic brachial plexus lesions, 7 with herniated disks (4 lumbar and 3 cervical disks), 4 with sacral radicular cysts, 2 with spinal vascular malformations, 3 with extramedullary intradural neoplasms (2 cervical neuromas and 1 cervical meningioma) and 1 with an intramedullary tumor (a conus medullaris ependymoma). All patients underwent SE MRI and conventional myelography (22 lumbar injections, 3 cervical injections of nonionic iodinated contrast agent) followed by CT (CT myelography). This trial demonstrates the feasibility of 3D MR myelography in the study of the cervical and lumbar spine: its results are comparable to those obtained with conventional myelography also in some specific indications like traumatic brachial plexus injuries, where invasive conventional myelography is usually thought to be essential.

To assess the role of the ultrasonic imaging evaluation of articular lesions suspected to be the initial presentation of heterotopic ossifications (HO) 59 consecutive spinal cord injured patients were studied. 32 out of 59 patients showed clinical signs of local inflammation in one of the articular sites of the upper or lower limbs, sonographic scans proved to be diagnostic of HO in 7 out of those 32 patients before a their radiographic findings. Serial sonographic examinations were performed utilising a 7.5 MegaHertz transducer probe for 2 months. The imaging abnormalities were correlated with biochemical levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, modifications of radiographic features and bone 99mTC scintigraphy. Scintigraphy revealed to have a high sensitivity but a low specificity for the diagnosis of HO. Also the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase was not a sensitive indicator of early HO in our group of patients. Moreover serial sonographic scans confidently excluded the HO in the 25 patients with no initial signs of the disease without any false negative results. Thus, early sonographic assessment of patients with spinal cord injury in which local signs of inflammation suggest initial HO formation revealed to be superior to the other utilized technique for the diagnosis of HO and may be considered a valuable alternative in particular to evaluate the evolutive pattern of this disease.

Dumbbell neurogenic tumours are unusual neoplasms in the pediatric age group. Six cases all in children under 10 years of age, have been reviewed with respect to diagnosis, management and results. Neurologic deficits have been found in 4 patients only; in the other 2 cases the tumours were occasionally discovered. Myelograms, sometimes associated with CT scan, allowed a correct diagnosis in all the patients. Initial treatment consisted in all the cases in laminectomy or laminotomy with total excision of the extradural tumour. The primary paravertebral tumours have been removed in one patient during the same neurosurgical operation, and in other three patients at a second stage. Two patients did not require the second operation: one recovered after chemotherapy and the other died few days after the first surgical procedure. Five patients are still alive: two, who had the tumour occasionally discovered, are free from disease; among the other 3 patients, presenting with neurological symptoms, 1 is free from disease without neurological symptoms and 2 have still long lasting sequelae. The authors emphasize the role of early diagnosis to prevent neurologic abnormalities and to achieve better results.

Attention is called to the risks of gas myelography and two cases of complications are described. One of these, observed personally, was fatal and its possible pathogenetic mechanisms are illustrated. Stress is laid on certain rules and precautions that should be respected in radiological and anaesthesiological practice. Insufflation pressure and volumes of injected air deserve particular attention and scrupulous intraoperative control cut of vital parameters must be carried and appropriate attention paid to patient hydration during the postoperative period.

Fifty patients with lumbar spinal disease, 47 of them with disk herniation, were studied preoperatively using both electromyography and computerized tomography (CT), in order to verify the mutual diagnostic significance and accuracy of these techniques. Electromyographic studies provided correct informations regarding the level of the lesion in 41 patients with 1 mistaken level and 8 false negatives, without indicating the nature of involved pathologies. The specific nature of the lesions was correctly indicated by CT studies in 43 patients with 4 incorrect diagnoses and 3 false negatives, without defining the functional loss produced by the lesions. Using electromyography and CT together, first electromyographic studies to establish the spinal level to investigate principally with CT, the diagnostic accuracy can improve because of the decrease of the false negatives.

Considerations concerning surgical indications, technique and results in 668 cases of spinal cord tumors (extradural, intradural and intramedullary) operated in over 20 years (1961-1968).

The authors present six personal cases of medullary angiomas: three cases of retromedullary, one of intramedullary and two of intra-retromedullary vascular malformations. One of two last cases was associated with a paravertebral arteriovenous malformation. The neuroradiologic investigations include a water-soluble myelography, with hypocicloidal tomography, and spinal cord selective angiography. The latter present many advantages of the aortography, for feeding arteries visualization, but the site of the shunt inside the intervertebral foramen can be localized only by angiotomography. In our cases neurological complications or clinical worsening were not found.

The authors review their personal experience in tumors of the spine and the spinal cord, based on 30 cases evaluated with plain x-ray film of the spine, plain Computed Tomography (CT), myelography and myelo-CT. The value of both plain film of the spine and CT in tumoral lesions involving the skeleton is assessed; however, as far as nervous structures are concerned myelography and myelo-CT are necessary. Both myelography and myelo-CT showed high sensitivity (96%), thus allowing the definition of intra- extra-thecal extension of the tumor, and its relationships with the spinal cord and surrounding structures. Myelo-CT turned out to be extremely useful in myelographic stop: the upper extension of the lesion could be defined in 85% of cases. However, the contribution of myelography and myelo-CT was relatively limited when positive findings were present at CT. The evaluation of the density of the lesions proved to be of limited value since no significant differences could be recognized in different tumors. Finally, a diagnostic protocol is proposed for patients with spinal neurologic symptoms, based upon the clinical level of the lesion.

The authors report their experience of bone scintigraphy and computed tomography in 19 patients, with suspected osteoid osteomas, who underwent surgery. Basing on surgical findings, the role of these techniques in diagnosis, surgical planning and follow-up of osteoid osteoma is stressed and the results are compared with those of conventional radiography.

This is a report of myelography findings obtained in 50 patients with B 15000 (Iopamidol), a new non ionic water-soluble contrast medium. The procedure was easily carried out with a tilting table wired to a TV image amplifier. The dose of contrast medium injected intrathecally was 10 divided by 15 cm3 of a preconstituted solution containing iodine 200 or 300 mg/cm3. There were no accidents or major complications. The myelograms obtained with the test material afforded accurate diagnosis of intramedullary and extramedullary lesions, and signally of intervertebral disk protrusion and hernia.