Imaging review of the atypical spinal epidural space pathologies.

Curr Probl Diagn Radiol

Rush University Medical Center, Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 1653 West Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Electronic address:

Published: June 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Pathologies in the spinal epidural space (SES) can cause issues like thecal sac narrowing or spinal cord compression, and they are categorized into several types: degenerative, infective, neoplastic, vascular, and traumatic.
  • The review discusses various degenerative conditions, notably lesser-known ones, as well as infectious conditions like spondylodiscitis, which can lead to epidural phlegmon or abscess.
  • MRI is highlighted as the primary imaging tool for examining SES abnormalities, with complementary imaging methods like CT or X-rays helping to evaluate bones and foreign objects.

Article Abstract

Pathologies affecting the spinal epidural space (SES) comprise various abnormalities. However, they all have the potential to cause thecal sac narrowing or spinal cord compression. In this review, we group these pathologies into degenerative, infective, neoplastic, vascular, traumatic, and others, focusing on their imaging features. Degenerative pathologies of the SES range from disc to facet disease, with a particular emphasis on the less common degenerative pathologies in this review. Infective pathologies affecting the epidural space include spondylodiscitis and associated epidural phlegmon and abscess. Neoplasms arising from typical SES components include neurofibroma, hemangioma, and liposarcoma. MRI is the best modality to assess the anatomy and abnormalities of the epidural space. MRI, combined with computed tomography, or a radiograph, is useful for the evaluation of bones or radiopaque foreign bodies.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1067/j.cpradiol.2024.01.029DOI Listing

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