Magnetic-Resonance Diffusion-Tensor Tractography in the Diagnosis of Tumefactive Spinal-Cord Lesions in Neuromyelitis Optica

Abstract

Magnetic-resonance (MR) imaging is the modality of choice for the evaluation of spinal-cord lesions. However, challenges persist in discriminating demyelinating processes from neoplastic lesions using conventional MR sequences. Consequently, an invasive spinal-cord biopsy is likely for most patients. MR diffusion-tensor imaging is an emerging noninvasive and powerful method for characterizing changes in tissue microstructure associated with spinal disorders. We currently present the case of a middle-aged woman suffering from neuromyelitis optica, and highlight that MR diffusion-tensor tractography can be helpful in the identification of tumefactive spinal-cord lesions.

Keywords

• magnetic-resonance imaging
• diffusion-tensor imaging
• diffusion-tensor tractography
• tumefactive
• spinal cord
• neuromyelitis optica