Vol. 5, Issue 1 Neurographics logo Chhabra A. et al
 

Spinal Epidural Space:
Anatomy, Normal variations, and Pathological Lesions
on MR Imaging

Chhabra A, MD1; Batra K, MD1; Satti S, MD1; Patel S, MMS1; Feitell S, MMS1; Gonzales C, MD1; Faerber E, MD2; Koenigsberg RA, DO FAOCR1
1Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
2 St Christopher Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA

MRI Technique

MR examinations should be performed by using a combination of T1WSE, T2W TSE in axial and sagittal planes and STIR or T2W fat suppressed images in sagittal planes. Hyperintense epidural fat on T1W images creates a nice contrast for detection of hypointense lesions. Post contrast fat suppressed T1W images should be performed in cases of infection, suspected tumors or post-operative cases. MR myelography can be obtained utilizing heavily T2W sequences, however it does not add much to the diagnosis.

  1. Introduction
  2. Spinal Epidural Space Anatomy and Contents
  3. MRI Technique
  4. MRI Signs of Epidural Space (ES) Pathology
  5. Normal Variations and Pseudo-tumors
  6. Differential Diagnosis of Spinal Epidural Space Lesions
  7. Developmental Lesions and Tumor like masses
  8. Traumatic Lesions
  9. Degenerative Lesions
  10. Infective/Inflammatory Lesions
  11. Key Differentiating Features of Various Tumors on MRI
  12. Conclusion
  13. References

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Use of this material without written consent of the author is prohibited.

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