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Inflammatory Myelopathy Presenting as a Cystic Intramedullary Spinal Cord Lesion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

B.I. Tranmer ,
T.A. Gray ,
W.J. Horsey  and
C.G. Gonsalves
B.I. Tranmer
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology. St. Michael’s Hospital and University of Toronto
T.A. Gray*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology. St. Michael’s Hospital and University of Toronto
W.J. Horsey
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology. St. Michael’s Hospital and University of Toronto
C.G. Gonsalves
Affiliation:
Division of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology. St. Michael’s Hospital and University of Toronto
*
St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
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Abstract:

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A case of subacute progressive spinal tetraparesis had myelographic evidence of cervical spinal cord swelling and a delayed metrizamide computed tomographic myelogram (MCTM) suggested cavitation within the swollen spinal cord. Surgical exploration of the cervical cord revealed inflammatory changes only. No syrinx or intramedullary tumour was found. The accumulation of metrizamide within the spinal cord, as demonstrated by MCTM, did not’respresent a syrinx or a cystic tumour, but more likely an area of inflammation. Because inflammatory myelopathy may simulate an intramedullary tumor or syrinx, careful analysis of all clinical and radiological information is necessary to help make a correct diagnosis.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , August 1984 , pp. 399 - 401
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1984

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