MR findings of spinal epidural mass

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the MR findings of spinal epidural mass in 23 patients retrospectively. MR images were performed at 1.5T unit. The lesions were confirmed as metastasis(12 cases), lymphoma (2 cases), leukemia(1 cases), multiple myeloma(2 cases), meningioma(3 cases), neurofibroma(1 case), dysraphism with lipoma(1 case) and lipomatosis(4 cases), Most MRI examinations consisted of T1, proton density and T2 weighted sagittal imaging of the spine, with additional pulse sequences or image planes as needed for clarification. The level of the spinal epidural mass was cervical spine level in 2 cases, thoracic in 15 cases, lumbar in 7 cases, and sacral in 2 cases. The location of epidural mass within the spinal canal was eccentric in 20 cases, multiple in 2 cases, and encircled in 4 cases. Paraspinal mass was seen in 11 cases. Signal intensity of epidural mass was variable. The marrow of spine revealed low signal intensity(SI) on TIWI and high SI on T2WI in 14 cases. In conclusion, MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of spinal epidural mass.