Neuropediatrics 2008; 39(3): 188-191
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1093335
Short Communication

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Role of Diffusion MRI in Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Infarction in Children

L. A. Beslow 1 , R. N. Ichord 1 , R. A. Zimmerman 2 , S. E. Smith 1 , D. J. Licht 1
  • 1Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
  • 2Division of Neuroradiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
Further Information

Publication History

received 10.03.2008 revised 16.06.2008

accepted 18.09.2008

Publication Date:
07 November 2008 (online)

Abstract

Anterior spinal artery (ASA) infarction is a rare but well-described cause of flaccid paraparesis in adults, presenting with a high thoracic spinothalamic sensory level and preservation of dorsal column function. Careful sensory examination, demonstrating loss of spinothalamic modalities with preservation of dorsal column modalities, supports a clinical diagnosis of ASA infarction. Findings on conventional MRI of the spinal cord are often non-specific, and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is not routinely performed. We describe four children with ASA infarction after minor trauma. DWI was performed in all cases and confirmed the clinical diagnosis.

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Correspondence

D. J. LichtMD 

Division of Neurology

6th Floor Wood Building

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

34th Street and Civic Center Blvd

19104 Philadelphia

USA

Phone: +1/215/590/17 19

Fax: +1/215/590/17 71

Email: licht@email.chop.edu