Magnetic resonance evaluation of pediatric spinal dysraphism.

Magnetic resonance (MR) scans of 22 children with spinal dysraphism were reviewed. MR scans of the cervicothoracic spine in 12 cases revealed 10 Chiari II malformations, 1 Chiari III malformations, and 4 syringohydromyelias. Twelve MR scans of the lumbosacral region were performed demonstrating 11 tethered cords, 6 myelomeningoceles, 4 lipomyeloschises, 2 diastematomyelias, 2 syringohydromyelias, and 2 dermal sinus tracts. MR is effective in defining the relationship of the cerebellar tonsils and brainstem to the upper cervical spinal canal and in evaluating the extent of syringohydromyelia and the degree of cord expansion. The ability to image the spinal cord and associated paraspinal lesions directly in the sagittal and coronal planes with excellent tissue characterization allows MR to accurately diagnose and define the myriad abnormalities associated with pediatric dysraphism.