Naslov
Enlargement of the spinal cord: inflammation or neoplasm?

Autori
Brinar, Marko ; Radoš, Marko ; Habek, Mario ; Poser, Charles M

Izvornik
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery (0303-8467) 108 (2006); 284-289

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Spinal cord tumours; Spinal demyelination; MRI; Multiple sclerosis; Disseminated encephalomyelitis

Sažetak
Intramedullary spinal tumours are uncommon lesions that can cause significant difficulties in the differential diagnosis between inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and vascular malformations or neoplasms. We report five cases in which the history and the clinical symptoms suggested an inflammatory process of the spinal cord but the MRI characteristics were those of neoplastic lesions. Both non-neoplastic and neoplastic intramedullary lesion may have very similar symptoms, and even CSF abnormalities, but in every one of our cases, a more detailed history and longer observation of the clinical course would have led to the correct diagnosis ; in such problem cases, empirical treatment and a follow-up MRI after a month's observation would be a more prudent approach providing that the patient is not rapidly deteriorating.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

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