Idiopathic and tumor-associated syringomyelia

MR examinations of nine patients with tumor-associated syringomyelic cavities and of 30 patients with idiopathic syringomyelia have been reviewed for specific findings in both groups. Tumor-associated syringomyelias were similar to idiopathic cases in most portions of the cavities. At the tumor site, however, most cases demonstrated typical features: abrupt change of cavity diameter, abrupt eccentric cavity position, uneven thickness of the surrounding spinal cord, and increased signal intensity of the spinal cord (not only surrounding the cavity) on T2-weighted images. Ectopic cerebellar tonsils and enlargement of spinal canal were typical findings in idiopathic cases. Administration of Gd-DTPA improved delineation of contrast-enhancing tumors from associated nonenhancing syringomyelic cavities