Pathophysiology and Grading of the Ventral Displacement of Dorsal Spinal Cord Spectrum

Abstract

Study DesignA retrospective study of the ventral displacement of dorsal spinal cord (VDDSC) spectrum pathophysiology and grading.PurposeThis study aimed at examining the pathophysiology of VDDSC between D3 and D7, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlation and severity grading.Overview of LiteratureThe pathologies that lead to VDDSC were previously discussed in various articles. We attempted to group these pathological conditions under a single spectrum, and grade them according to their severity.MethodsWe reviewed the MRI images of the dorsal spines of 1,350 patients over a period of 4 years (February 2013–February 2017); all MRI images were analyzed by two experienced radiologists.ResultsOf the 1,350 patients, 28 exhibited VDDSC between D3 and D7. Additional findings included ventral transdural herniation of the spinal cord (n=10), anterior spinal cord adhesion (n=7), arachnoid web (n=6), and arachnoid cyst (n=5).ConclusionsWe grouped the pathologies that lead to VDDSC at the thoracic level into a single spectrum of varying severity and graded VDDSC, from mild to severe.

Keywords

• Dorsal spinal cord
• Ventral displacement
• Adhesion
• Arachnoid web
• Arachnoid cyst