MRI characteristics of cavernous angiomas in the spinal epidural space

SHEN Jian; MAO Xin-feng; HUA NG Xiao-yan; HE Jian; WU Xiao; GU Xiao-li

Abstract：Objective To study MR characteristics of cavernous angiomas in the spinal epidural space and to improve the diagnostic ability of this disease .Methods The clinic findings of 9 patients of cavernous angiomas in the spinal epidural space confirmed by operation and pathology were analyzed retrospectively ,and the MRI characteristics were summarized . Results All lesions were located in thoracic segment of spine including 3 lesions near the cervical segment and 6 lesions near the lumbar segment .The location of lesions was distributed along the long axis of spinal cord .Tumors showed mixed signal intensity on T1WI and obviously high signal intensity on T2WI like cerebrospinal fluid .The lesions were fusiform or oval with the epidural space broadening on sagittal imaging .The fat hat with high signal intensity on T1WI and T2WI was found at the both ends ,and it was like cap of a pen .All cases showed significantly uniform enhancement .The border was unclear between enhanced tumor and fat hat ,and it was like two-tailed .The tumors grew pseudopod-like along the adja-cent intervertebral foramen with intervertebral foramen slightly broadening and bone absorbing around .Conclusion The MR findings of cavernous angiomas in the spinal epidural space have some characteristics .Multiplanar all-round observation is useful for accurate localization and diagnosis .