Abstract
Background. Extradural spinal cord compression in children may be the result of infection/inflammation or neoplasia. It is vital to differentiate between the two as there is considerable difference in the management of these entities. Objective. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there are significant differences between TB spondylitis and neoplasia causing extradural compression of the cord with regard to the anatomical distribution and compartmentalisation. Materials and methods. A group of 16 children between the ages of 4 months and 14.2 years who had magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation of the spine consecutively were analysed retrospectively. Results. A wide variety of neoplasms demonstrated an anatomical site and compartment on MRI that s ‘characteristic\' of TB spondylitis. Conclusion. Anatomical distribution alone does not assist in narrowing the differential diagnosis. There is still need for biopsy in children with extradural compression by a mass. South African Journal of Radiology Vol. 11 (4) 2007: pp. 80-84
Highlights
Extradural spinal cord compression may be the result of infection, inflammation or neoplasia
A subgroup of patients who had a diagnosis of extradural spinal cord compression was extracted from a database of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed of the spine in children at one institution over one year
Computed tomography (CT) and MRI features of TB spondylitis have been reported in adults and children there is significant overlap with neoplastic disease.[2,3]
Summary
Extradural spinal cord compression may be the result of infection, inflammation or neoplasia. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there are significant differences between TB spondylitis and neoplasia causing extradural compression of the cord with regard to the anatomical distribution and compartmentalisation without considering the signal characteristics or contrast enhancement. Extradural spinal cord compression in children may be the result of infection/inflammation or neoplasia. The aim of this paper is to determine whether there are significant differences between TB spondylitis and neoplasia causing extradural compression of the cord with regard to the anatomical distribution and compartmentalisation. There is still need for biopsy in children with extradural compression by a mass
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