RESUMO
Objective To observe the value of CE-MRA in differentiating secondary vascular tortuosity of the spinal cord caused by spinal vascular malformations (SCVM) or non-vascular malformations.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patients suspected as SCVM.Based on the results of DSA or surgery,the patients were divided into SCVM group (n=16) or non-vascular malformation group (n=14).CE-MRA features were compared between the two groups,including the number,length,position,tortuosity degree of spinal cord tortuous vascular and whether the abnormal feeding artery existed surrounding tortuous vascular.Results Compared with non-vascular malformation group,SCVM group showed more average number of tortuous vascular [(1.38 ± 0.16) vs 1,P=0.012],longer tortuous vascular lengthy [similar lengthy of (9.68 ± 1.18) vertebral body vs(4.14±0.62) vertebral body,P＜0.001),higher score of tortuosity degree [(2.23 ± 0.22) scores vs (0.86±0.10) scores,P＜0.001] and more easier to appear abnormal feeding artery surrounding tortuous vascular [75.00％(12/16) vs28.57％(4/14),P=0.014].Furthermore,only2 cases (2/16,12.50％) of tortuous vascular located in and limited to lower thoracic vertebra (T7 T12 vertebrae) in SCVM group,while 11 cases (11/14,78.57％) in non-vascular malformation group (P=0.020).Conclusion Spinal cord secondary vascular tortuosity of SCVM can be well distinguished from that caused by non-vascular malformation with CE MRA spinal angiography.