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Spinal cord compression is a form of myelopathy in which the spinal cord is compressed. ... Diagnosis is by X-rays but preferably magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ...
When due to trauma, myelopathy is known as (acute) spinal cord injury. When inflammatory, it is known as myelitis. Disease that is vascular in nature is known as vascular myelopathy. In Asian populations, spinal cord compression often occurs due to a different, inflammatory process affecting the posterior longitudinal ligament. [citation needed]
Once the spinal injury has occurred, one of two things may happen. Firstly, hemorrhaging within the spinal cord may cause compression, which damages the spinal cord even further. Another consequence of myelomalacia is improper circulation of blood to the area damaged, resulting in further damage to the spinal cord. [citation needed]
Nowadays, MRI has all but replaced myelography. [4] MRI is preferable because injection of contrast medium into the spinal canal is infrequently needed for better images. However, a CT myelogram may be useful for patients who cannot undergo MRI (e.g., those with pacemakers or cochlear implants). CT is preferred when MRI images are limited by ...
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – provides detailed illustrations of specific cartilage, nerve roots, muscles, spinal cord, etc. It more effectively displays spinal compression than X-rays; Computed Tomography (CT) scans – locate the site of spinal cord and nerve root compression [7]
An X-ray of the spinal canal following injection of a contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces will reveal displacement of the contrast material. It can show the presence of structures that can cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, such as herniated discs, tumors, or bone spurs. Because myelography involves the ...
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the spinal cord (spinal fMRI) is an adaptation of the fMRI method that has been developed for use in the brain. Although the basic principles underlying the methods are the same, spinal fMRI requires a number of specific adaptations to accommodate the periodic motion of the spinal cord, the small cross-sectional dimensions (roughly 8 mm × 15 mm ...
CT gives greater detail than X-rays, but exposes the patient to more radiation, [91] and it still does not give images of the spinal cord or ligaments; MRI shows body structures in the greatest detail. [10] Thus it is the standard for anyone who has neurological deficits found in SCI or is thought to have an unstable spinal column injury. [92]