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Spinal Imaging pp 3–40Cite as

Congenital Malformations of the Spine, Spinal Cord, and Cranio-Cervical Junction

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Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

Congenital malformations of the spine and spinal cord are generally referred to as spinal dysraphisms. These conditions are usually diagnosed prenatally, at birth, or in early infancy; however, some may be discovered in older children or adults. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has made the diagnosis of these disorders easier, faster, and more accurate, thereby enhancing the possibility of an early and case-tailored treatment, mainly thanks to its multiplanar imaging and tissue characterization capabilities. Classification of spinal dysraphisms requires a balanced correlation of clinical, neuroradiological, and embryological information. Use of classification schemes may prove helpful in making a diagnosis in everyday clinical practice (Tortori-Donati et al. 2000; Tortori-Donati et al. 2001; Rossi et al. 2004a,b; Tortori-Donati et al. 2005b).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Neuroradiology, G. Gaslini Children’s Research Hospital, Largo G. Gaslini 5, 16147, Genoa, Italy

    Andrea Rossi MD (Senior Staff Neuroradiologist), Carlo Gandolfo MD (Staff Neuroradiologist), Armando Cama MD (Head) & Paolo Tortori-Donati MD (Head)

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  1. Andrea Rossi MD
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  2. Carlo Gandolfo MD
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  3. Armando Cama MD
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  4. Paolo Tortori-Donati MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerpen, Wilrijkstraat, 10, 2650, Edegem, Belgium

    Johan W. M. Van Goethem MD, PhD , Luc van den Hauwe MD  & Paul M. Parizel MD, PhD ,  & 

  2. Department of Radiology, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Nikolaas, Moerlandstraat 1, 9100, Sint-Niklaas, Belgium

    Johan W. M. Van Goethem MD, PhD

  3. Department of Radiology, AZ KLINA, Augustijnslei 100, 2930, Brasschaat, Belgium

    Luc van den Hauwe MD

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Rossi, A., Gandolfo, C., Cama, A., Tortori-Donati, P. (2007). Congenital Malformations of the Spine, Spinal Cord, and Cranio-Cervical Junction. In: Van Goethem, J.W.M., van den Hauwe, L., Parizel, P.M. (eds) Spinal Imaging. Medical Radiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68483-1_1

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