Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Spinal Dysraphism

• Main Authors: Ramanna channegowda Hosagavi, Venkat Gundappa Masimade, KS Kishore
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Pvt. Ltd. 2019-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Anatomy Radiology and Surgery
• Subjects: diastematomyelia; neural placode; tethered cord
• Online Access: http://www.ijars.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2019&month=October&volume=8&issue=4&page=RO01-RO04&id=2509

Introduction: Spinal dysraphism includes spectrum of congenital fusion anomalies of one or more dorsal midline structures including skin, subcutaneous tissue, vertebrae, meninges and neural tissue. It is due to incomplete midline closure of the bony and neural spinal tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now considered to be the imaging modality of choice. Aim: To assess the role of MRI in the evaluation of spinal dysraphism and to assess the spectrum of lesions of spinal dysraphism. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 30 patients suspected of spinal dysraphism, over the time period from November 2016 to May 2018 in the Department of Radiodiagnosis in Victoria Hospital and Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru. All patients underwent MR imaging examination performed on a SIEMENS magneto 1.5-T MR system in Victoria hospital. Radiological characteristics and clinical features were studied. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was made. Results on categorical measurements are presented in Number (%) and results on continuous measurements are presented on Mean±SD (Min-Max). Results: The ages of patients included in the study were in the range of 4 months-11 years with maximum number of patients were in the age group of 1-5 years (~43.3%). Female preponderance was noted. Congenital spinal lesions without subcutaneous masses (43.3%) were more common than the lesions with subcutaneous masses (30%). Vertebral anomalies were the most common spinal anomalies in patients with congenital spinal lesions followed by spina bifida, tethered cord, scoliosis, syrinx and diastematomyelia. Of all the vertebral anomalies, spina bifida was the most common (73.3%).Lumbosacral spine was most common site of involvement in 11 cases (36.65%). Conclusion: MRI does not involve ionizing radiation, has no biological risk, and avoids intrathecal injection of contrast media, it offers several advantages in the evaluation of children with suspected spinal dysraphism and help in accurate diagnosis.