Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Neoplastic Diseases of Spine

Background: Incidence of neoplastic disease has seen an increase in last decade especially last few years. Spinal tumors have presented as a challenge in imaging studies for many decades. MRI with the help of multiplanar imaging and high soft tissue contrast provides a perfect solution to this diagnostic challenge. Aims & Objectives: To determine the role of 1.5T MRI in evaluation of spinal tumors and find the common tumors present in our population. Materials & Methods: Forty- nine patients who were admitted in the Dept. of Neurosurgery with clinical suspicion of spinal tumor were evaluated on a GE Medical System, Sigma 1.5 T, Sys # GEMSOW scanner. T1W and T2W along with advanced sequences & Post Gadolinium contrast agent images were evaluated in axial, coronal and sagittal planes. All the results were correlated histopathologically. Results: Spinal tumors were assessed according to the various compartments they were present in. Intradural extramedullary tumors formed the most common group of tumors with nerve sheath tumors being the most common sub group of spinal tumors. Extradural metastasis formed the next most common type of lesions. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging especially done at higher tesla systems like 1.5T & 3T with the use of contrast and advanced sequences is highly useful in the evaluation of spinal tumors not only for diagnosis but for surgical planning also.