MR imaging evaluation of congenital malformation of the spine

One hundred fifty children with congenital malformations of the spine were studied with MR imaging, US, and water-soluble myelography with CT. The malformations encountered included myelomeningoceles and Chiari II malformations, diastematomyelia, hydromyelia, arachnoid cyst, dermal sinus and dermoid, spinal lipomas and teratomas, tight filum terminale, anterior sacral meningoceles, lipomyelomeningoceles, myelocystocele, and severe scoliosis. MR imaging was the most effective modality in delineating these abnormalities. At times, real-time US and water-soluble CT myelography were required as adjuncts to MR imaging in delineating subtle spinal cord tethering, arachnoid cyst, diastematomyelia, and severe scoliosis