Snake eye sign on MR images of the cervical spine with cervical spondylosis and the clinical significance

We retrospectively evaluated 370 magnetic resonance images (MRI) of patients with cervical spondylosis. We recognized the 'snake eye sign', which is eye-like increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images, within the cervical cord in 14 cases. The median term from the onset of the initial symptoms to MRI examinations was 1.65 years. In 5 cases, MRI performed within 6 months from the onset of symptoms presented abnormal increased signal in the spinal cord. Eleven patients including these 5 patients presented symptoms in the upper extremites of sensory disturbance and/or muscle weakness. Two patients did not demonstrate long tract signs. We believe the lesions with 'snake eye sign' in the cervical cord are significantly correlated with the symptoms of the upper extremities, and it is useful to diagnose compressive myelopathy. (author)