Early diagnosis of spinal metastases by CT and MR studies

• Published in: Journal of computer assisted tomography Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 423
• Main Authors: Colman, L K, Porter, B A, Redmond, 3rd, J, Olson, D O, Stimac, G K, Dunning, D M, Friedl, K E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-05-1988
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Spinal Neoplasms - diagnosis; Spinal Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Neoplasms - secondary; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• ISSN: 0363-8715
• DOI: 10.1097/00004728-198805010-00013

Fifteen patients with known metastatic or high-risk primary cancer, normal neurologic examinations, and new abnormalities on 99mTc bone scan were evaluated with spinal CT and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Four patients underwent CT metrizamide myelography. Spinal CT and MR agreed in 14 of 15 patients demonstrating spinal metastases in 12 patients and benign disease in two. In one patient spinal CT was normal, but MR showed altered marrow signal consistent with metastatic disease. Epidural tumor was demonstrated by CT metrizamide myelography in four cases, all correctly identified by MR. Further evaluation of spinal MR in this setting is warranted.