Intramedullary spinal cord tumors: significance of associated hemorrhage at MR imaging

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 35 patients with intramedullary spinal tumors were reviewed. Hypointense areas on both T1- and T2-weighted images were seen within or around eight tumors, all of which were in the cervical cord. Hypointensity at the tumor margin was seen in seven cases. Hypointensity within the tumor was seen in two cases. (One case had both types of hypointensity). In seven surgically confirmed cases, hypointensity at the tumor margin was found to be a relatively firm pseudocapsule, and hypointensity within the tumor corresponded to intratumoral hematoma. All of the tumors with hypointensity were ependymomas at histologic examination. When MR imaging shows an intramedullary tumor with hypointensity at the tumor margin, it is suggestive, but not pathognomonic, of an ependymoma.