Vertebral Body Signal Changes in Spinal Cord Infarction: Histopathological Confirmation

Abstract

Spinal cord infarctions are rare. They are difficult to diagnose clinically and remain undiagnosed even after extensive investigations. Magnetic Resonance (MR) features include hyperintensity of the cord on T2W images. Few cases of spinal cord infarction associated with vertebral body infarction are reported in the literature. We describe another five cases of spinal cord infarction with histopathological confirmation of the vertebral body signal changes. MR examinations of five patients who presented with acute spontaneous spinal cord syndrome were reviewed. Abnormal MR features of the spinal cord included signal changes within the parenchyma, best demonstrated on T2W images. These cord changes were associated with vertebral body T2 hyperintensity in all the patients and in one patient, the computed tomography guided biopsy of vertebral body lesion reported infarction. MR is sensitive to detect spinal cord infarctions and associated vascular and bony changes. The associated signal abnormalities in the bone marrow are a corroborative sign in the diagnosis of spinal cord infarction which was proved by histopathology.