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Neuroimaging in Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases of the Spinal Cord

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Clinical Neuroradiology

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Abstract

Progress in knowledge on inflammation and infection of the spinal cord has led to a more important role of radiology in the diagnostic work-up of these diseases.

MR imaging is the only radiological technique that allows a direct visualization of the spinal cord, and multisequence imaging is very important for the adequate detection and localization of pathology.

In clinical neuroradiology, MR imaging is extremely helpful in differentiating multiple sclerosis from neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) with longitudinally extensive myelitis and in suggesting the diagnosis in granulomatous, autoimmune, and infectious diseases, partly based on their gadolinium-enhancement pattern.

The clinical history, serology, and CSF analysis should be available when investigating a suspected spinal cord inflammation or infection and, in some cases, brain MR imaging will be required to confirm or exclude a specific disease.

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Abbreviations

Ab:

Antibody

ACE:

Angiotensin converting enzyme

ADEM:

Acute disseminating encephalomyelitis

AQP4:

Aquaporin 4

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

DIR:

Double inversion recovery

LETM:

Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis

MR:

Magnetic resonance

MOG:

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein

MS:

Multiple sclerosis

NMOSD:

Neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorders

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

SLE:

Systemic lupus erythematosus

SS:

Sjögren syndrome

STIR:

Short tau inversion recovery

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Philippe Demaerel & Sarah Cappelle

Authors
  1. Philippe Demaerel
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  2. Sarah Cappelle
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philippe Demaerel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Frederik Barkhof

  2. National Hosp.f Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCL National Hosp.f Neurology & Neurosurgery, London, UK

    Rolf Jager

  3. Division of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Vienna Division of Neuroradiology, Wien, Austria

    Majda Thurnher

  4. Department of Neuroradiology, Hospital Vall d’Hebrón Department of Neuroradiology, Barcelona, Spain

    Alex Rovira Cañellas

Section Editor information

  1. A. Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy

    Mario Muto

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Demaerel, P., Cappelle, S. (2018). Neuroimaging in Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases of the Spinal Cord. In: Barkhof, F., Jager, R., Thurnher, M., Rovira Cañellas, A. (eds) Clinical Neuroradiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61423-6_40-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61423-6_40-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61423-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61423-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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