Spinal vessels: normal and abnormal findings on CT

Abstract

We describe the normal and abnormal CT appearances of the spinal vessels. Our control group consisted of 180 patients without known spinal diseases, who underwent CT study for a visceral survey. Contiguous 10-mm-thick incremental scans were obtained 30–60 s after intravenous injection of contrast material (100 ml, 300 mgI/ml, 2-3 ml/s). Abnormal cases were three arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Scans showing a normal CT appearance of the spinal vessels were divided into seven groups. Anterior spinal arteries were identified in 88.3%. The arteria radicularis magna was seen in 26.7% and its location was identified. It is important to avoid misinterpretation to recognise that spinal vessels are normally demonstrated on contrast-enhanced CT. The nidus of a glomus-type vascular malformation and its intraparenchymal location were clearly demonstrated. A single-coil-type malformation was seen, but diagnosis by CT only would be difficult.