Clinical question: Evaluate for dorsal column dysfunction. Signs and symptoms: Neuropathy. Pre- and post enhanced cervical MRI:Examination demonstrates normal signal intensity and alignment of vertebral column.No significant degenerative disc disease or central spinal/neural foraminal compromise present.There is tiny linear T2 STIR hyperintensity within the cord which traverses the entire cervical cord and extends into the thoracic cord and likely representing central canal. The finding is most conspicuous at C5 to T1 levels and measures at maximum of 1.9 x 3 mm in transaxial dimensions at C7 level and suggesting of a minimally expansile syrinx. There is no evidence of change in the caliber of the cord secondary to this finding. The signal intensity and anatomical morphology of the cord remains within normal on all MRI sequences otherwise. There is also no detectable abnormal enhancement of the cord or the leptomeninges. No detectable abnormal enhancement of the vertebral column.Pre- and post enhanced thoracic MRI:Similar to MRI of the cervical spine there is a tiny midline linear contiguous T2 STIR hyperintensity of the cord traversing thoracic cord however without extension into the lower most portion of the cord or the conus. The maximum measurement of this lesion is approximately at 1.6 mm at T8. The signal intensity and overall anatomical morphology of the cord is otherwise within normal. Post enhanced images demonstrate no detectable abnormal enhancement of the cord or the abdomen images. There is also no detectable abnormal enhancement of the vertebral column. No evidence of any appreciable degenerative disease, spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise at any level.
1.Pre- and post enhanced MRI of cervical spine demonstrate a tiny linear T2 STIR hyperintensity traversing the entire cervical cord. Minimal expansion is noted only at C5-T1 levels measuring maximum of 1.9 x 3 mm at C7 level. This finding likely representing the central canal however possibility of a small focal minimally expansile syrinx cannot be excluded. Unremarkable signal intensity, morphology and size of cervical cord otherwise and without abnormal enhancement. Unremarkable images of cervical spine without spinal stenosis, neural foraminal compromise or abnormal enhancement.2.Pre- and post enhanced thoracic MRI demonstrate a tiny linear T2 STIR hyperintensity extending from cervical spine inferiorly to T8 level without focal expansion, change in the size of the thoracic cord or abnormal enhancement. No spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise or abnormal enhancement of the vertebral column.