MRI findings of spinal intramedullary tuberculoma and literature review / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the MRI findings of spinal intramedullary tuberculomas and the related literature was reviewed. Methods A retrospective study of 5 patients with intramedullary tuberculoma proved by clinical and radiological evidences was undertaken.Both T1-and T2-weighted images were obtained along with the postcontrast T1 WI.The locations,signal intensities,patterns of enhancement and morphology of the tuberculomas were observed.Results A tuberculoma in one patient was found in cervical spinal cord with slight hypointensity and nodular enhancement on T1 WI and hypointensity on T2 WI.Those in three patients were found in inferior thoracic spinal cord with typical “target sign”on T2 WI and rim-enhancement on postcontrast T1 WI,and the tuberculomas were ovoid along the long axis of spinal cord on sagittal images.A miliary tuberculoma in thoracic spinal cord in one of these three patients was found which could not be showed on plain MRI.The tuberculomas in last patient was located in conus terminalis with hypointensity and rim enhancement on T1 WI and hypointensity on T2 WI.Conclusion The MRI findings of spinal intramedullary tuberculoma are variable,and their characteristic manifestations include hypointensity or “target sign”on T2 WI,rim enhancement on postcontrast T1 WI along the long axis of spinal cord.