Structural MR Imaging of the Spinal Cord.

The spinal cord is a critical central nervous system structure facilitating neural transmission and reflex activity. Spinal cord disorders manifest as myelopathy with diverse etiologies, necessitating imaging for accurate diagnosis. MR imaging is the gold standard modality due to superior soft tissue contrast and multiplanar capability, enabling detailed assessment of intrinsic and extrinsic pathologies. Conventional sequences, including T1-weighted, T2-weighted, short tau inversion recovery, and postcontrast imaging, remain foundational for detecting structural abnormalities. Emerging advances, including ultrahigh field MR imaging, quantitative imaging, and artificial intelligence, hold promise for improving lesion detection, characterization, and diagnostic precision in spinal cord diseases.