Chronological low field magnetic resonance appearance of canine spinal epidural hemorrhage model

The magnetic resonance (MR) features of spinal epidural hemorrhage depending with the passage of time have a meaning in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study is to propose the characteristic MR image of spinal epidural hemorrhage using a lower field permanent magnet scanner in dogs. A total of 8 clinically normal beagle dogs, weighing about 9 kg, were allocated. After a baseline MR examination, spinal epidural hemorrhage was created. MR scanning was executed on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 using 0.25 Tesla low field MR. Transverse MR images were attained for image examination. T2W, T1W, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), short tau inversion recovery (STIR), and T2*-GRE sequences were used. Images were compared subjectively for signal transition assessment. Spinal epidural hemorrhage models were produced positively in 8 dogs at the T12 to L2 region. Initially, the spinal cord and epidural lesions were hyper-intense on T2W and T1W images. On T2W, FLAIR and STIR images, the spinal cord lesion was steadily hyperintense. No significant and consistent hypointense signal indicating hemorrhage was seen on T2*-GRE images. This study result suggests that relatively consistent hyperinstensity on T2 and FLAIR is observed for 30 days, meanwhile T2*-GRE imaging is less useful in hemorrhage detection.

Acute Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hemorrhage

Spontaneous spinal epidural hemorrhage(SSEH) represent 0.3%~0.9% of spinal epidural-space-occupying lesions. The therapeutic outcome seems to be determined by the accuracy of the diagnosis and by the time interval between the onset of symptom and surgical decompression. Thus, SSEH is a rare spinal emergency and a diagnostic challenge. We experienced two such cases. In one case, the symptoms were confused with those for a ureter stone, aortic aneurysm, spinal cord infarction. That patient completely recovered spontaneously within 2 hours. In the other case, which was initially diagnosed incorrectly as a cerebral infarction, surgical decompression was performed. That patient recovered completely within 1 month.

A Case of Traumatic Spinal Epidural Hematoma in Ankylosing Spondylitis

A case of traumatic thoracolumbar epidural hemorrhage is presented in a 37-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis. The patient complained neck and back pain right after the accident but paralegia and difficult urination followed 2 days later. Spine CT showed thoracolumbar epidural mass, which was confirmed to be hemorrhage associated with spine fracture and was solely responsible for paraplegia.