MRI diagnosis of intradural extramedullary tumors

Objective: This study evaluates the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestation of intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumors to improve the imaging diagnostic level. Materials and Methods: From January 2005 to December 2012, a retrospective analysis of the MRI examination was performed on 108 patients with IDEM tumors confirmed by surgical pathology postoperatively in our hospital. According to the pathological classification; the gender, age, location, size, foraminal state extension, signal intensity (compared with the spinal cord), and enhancement were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 108 cases (111 lesions) were reported; 69 (70 lesions), 31 (31 lesions), three (five lesions), four (four lesions), and one (one lesion) of which were schwannoma, meningioma, neurofibroma, teratoma, and metastatic tumor, respectively. MRI manifestations of different IDEM tumors have certain specificities. Conclusion: MRI is the preferred examination method for to diagnose IDEM tumors and provide a reliable imaging basis for clinical treatment and prognosis judgment.