A comparison of T2 and gadolinium enhanced MRI with CT myelography in cervical radiculopathy

Bartlett, R. J.V.; Gardiner, E.; Hill, C. Rowland

Abstract

Two MRI strategies which have been reported to be effective in assessing cervical exit foramina, were prospectively compared with CT myelography in 20 patients with cervical radiculopathy. The first strategy utilized 3D T2(*) images, the second gadolinium enhanced 2D T1 images. Gadolinium (dimeglumine gadopentetate, Schering Ltd) enhanced images did not confer any benefit in the investigation of this condition, probably due to enhancement of herniated disc material and osteophytes adjacent to the neurocentral joint. Three-dimensional (3D) T2(*) white cerebrospinal fluid images had an accuracy approaching 90% for the diagnosis of foraminal encroachment, compared with a gold standard. MRI including a 3D T2(*) sequence is thus an acceptable primary investigation for cervical radiculopathy, but when the findings are incompatible with clinical symptomatology, CT myelography is still indicated.

Citation

Bartlett, R. J., Gardiner, E., & Hill, C. R. (1998). A comparison of T2 and gadolinium enhanced MRI with CT myelography in cervical radiculopathy. British Journal of Radiology, 71(841), 11-19. https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.71.841.9534693

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 31, 1998
• Online Publication Date: Jan 28, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 31, 1998
• Journal: British Journal of Radiology
• Print ISSN: 0007-1285
• Publisher: British Institute of Radiology
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 71
• Issue: 841
• Pages: 11-19
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.71.841.9534693
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/417750
• Publisher URL: https://www.birpublications.org/doi/pdf/10.1259/bjr.71.841.9534693