“WHAT MRI CAN DO IN SUSPECTED NON-DEGENRATIVE CASES OF COMPRESSIVE MYELOPATHY”

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Compressive Myelopathy is described as the spinal cord compression either from outside or within the cord itself. Compression may be due to Herniated disc, post traumatic compression by fracture / displaced Vertebra, epidural hemorrhage / abscess or Epidural / Intradural (Intramedullary and Extramedullary) neoplasm. Study aimed to to study the role of MRI in evaluation of compressive myelopathy MATERIAL & METHOD: It is a cross sectional observational study conducted during Jan 2019 to June 2020 in patients presenting to the Department of Radiodiagnosis with features of compressive myelopathy at Sharda Hospital, SMS&R. Total of 30 patients who fullled inclusion criteria and provided the informed consent. Philips Achieva 3.0T MRI. Standard surface coils and body coils, were used for cervical, thoracic and Lumbar spine for acquisition of images was used to assess the compressive myelopathy. RESULTS: In present study, total of 30 patients were included in the present study. Among them 20 were males and 10 were female with the ratio of 2:1 showing the male predominance. The mean age of the patients was found to be 39.23 years. Extra dural compartment was the most commonly involved (n=26). POTTs (n=12) and TM (n=11) were most common located in extradural compartment, followed by metastasis (n=2). (p<0.001) CONCLUSION: MRI was able to successfully classify the spinal tumor based on Extradural / Intradural position and evaluate the integrity of the spinal cord, intervertebral disks and ligament following acute spinal trauma.