Download PDF
Eur J Pediatr Surg 1991; 1: 18-19
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1042530
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Investigation of Children with Suspected Spinal Dysraphism by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

J. M. Hawnaur1 , D.  Hughes1 , J. P. R. Jenkins1 , C. M. Bannister2 , I.  Isherwood1
  • 1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Stopford Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, U.K.
  • 2Neurosurgical Unit, Booth Hall Children's Hospital, University of Manchester School of Medicine, Charlestown Road, Blackley, Manchester M9 2AA, U.K.
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
25 March 2008 (online)

Also available at
 PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Findings on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of 52 children with suspected spinal dysraphism have been reviewed. In 24, no significant spinal abnormality was demonstrated. Seven patients had scoliosis or vertebral segmentation anomalies without demonstrable abnormality of the underlying soft tissues and one had an isolated subcutaneous haemangioma. In 20 children with spinal dysraphism, a low tethered cord was the most frequent finding, occurring in 80%. Other manifestations included myelo- or meningocoele (60 %), syringomyelia (30 %), lipoma (25 %), congenital tumour (20%), diastematomyelia (15%) and thickened filum terminale (5 %). The relationship between the clinical reason for requesting MRI and the scan results are discussed.

Key words

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - Spinal dysraphism