Definitions and MR imaging of duropathies

Abstract

Kumar defined duropathies as disorders with dural defects-related cerebrospinal fluid leaks, particularly of spinal anterior dura mater, Superficial (hemo) siderosis (SS) and multisegemental amyotrophy (MSAM) were included in duropathies. Dural defects of SS had two types; one was incomplete closure of the dura in the spinal and cranial operations, the other was a spontaneous defect in the spinal anterior dura mater. In a majority of SS patients, spontaneous dural defects were detected at the levels of C7/Th1 to Th2/Th3 on axial FIESTA (fast imaging employing steady state acquisition) images. Similarly, dural defects in our 6 cases with MSAM were showed at C7/Th1 to Th2/Th3. Axial FIESTA images were crucial on MR imaging. T2 weighted images demonstrated abnormal hyperintense lesions in both anterior horns at the level of C3 spinal cord in all of 7 patients with MSAM. A dural defect in one case was not found.