metrizamide and Ependymoma

The sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to tissue alterations is particularly useful in spinal cord imaging. In addition to excellent anatomic display of this compact and complex area, syrinx cavities, tumors, and degenerating disks can be identified before they cause the anatomic distortion often necessary for detection by conventional means.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Bone Marrow Diseases; Brain Diseases; Ependymoma; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Lipoma; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Meningeal Neoplasms; Metrizamide; Myelography; Neurofibroma; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Spinal Diseases; Spinal Injuries; Spine; Syringomyelia; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Ependymoma; Humans; Meningeal Neoplasms; Metrizamide; Myelography; Neurilemmoma; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The usefulness of intravenous contrast-enhanced CT in delineating intraspinal cord tumors has not been well documented. To determine if intradural spinal tumors enhance, if the location and type of tumor can be determined, and if a double dose of contrast material provides more information than a single dose, a retrospective study of 23 patients with proven intradural extramedullary or intramedullary tumors was performed. All the tumors studied with CT after intravenous contrast enhancement showed that most lesions (18/23) enhanced, contrary to published reports. Contrast-enhanced studies delineated the extent of the tumor, helping to separate solid and cystic components. The enhancement pattern of ependymomas and astrocytomas was similar, while schwannomas had a characteristic appearance. A double dose of intravenous contrast material had no apparent advantage over a single dose.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Astrocytoma; Child; Child, Preschool; Ependymoma; Female; Humans; Infant; Iothalamate Meglumine; Male; Metrizamide; Middle Aged; Myelography; Neurilemmoma; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

One case of subarachnoid haemorrhage due to a spinal cord tumor, seen in a child, is reported. This exceptional etiology, whose the look is often misleading must be called to mind when meningeal and rachidian syndromes are associated. Ependymoma of cauda equina is the most common tumor.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Ependymoma; Humans; Lymphography; Male; Metrizamide; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The authors discuss their original observations using computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of posterior fossa neoplasms in children. The subject of CT diagnosis of childhood supratentorial tumors is also reviewed. However, despite the documented value of CT, the authors believe that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will eventually offer certain advantages that will make MRI the primary imaging modality for intracranial neoplasms in children.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Brain Stem; Cerebellar Neoplasms; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms; Child; Cranial Fossa, Posterior; Ependymoma; Humans; Medulloblastoma; Metrizamide; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Contrast Media; Ependymoma; Humans; Iopamidol; Iothalamic Acid; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Metrizamide; Myelography; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Spinal Diseases