Figure 2. (a) Sagittal CISS image demonstrating discovertebral impingement upon the thecal sac and cord. (b)Reconstructed axial CISS image clearly delineates a paracentral disc protrusion flattening and deforming the left side of the cord, in conjunction with an osteophyte arising posteriorly projecting into the lateral recess (arrow).
Figure 3. (a) Sagittal CISS image of the thoracic region. The high contrast and spatial resolution highlights an enlarged perimedullary venous plexus surrounding the cord, associated with a dural arteriovenous fistula. (b)Coronal reconstructed CISS image demonstrating serpiginous veins on the dorsal surface of the cord. (c) Spinal angiography demonstrates the fistula and the perimedullary venous drainage corresponding to the coronal CISS image.
Figure 4. Perimedullary arteriovenous malformation. An enlarged dorsal perimedullary venous complex with an associated venous aneurysm (arrow) on the dorsal surface of the cord is demonstrated on sagittal (a) and reconstructed coronal (b) CISS images. (c) Vertebral artery angiogram showing supply from the anterior spinal artery axis and the corresponding angiographic features. The aneurysm is faintly filled in on this early arterial phase image.
Figure 5. Sagittal (a) and axial (b) CISS images showing the late complications of a stab wound into the thoracocervical cord, with focal cystic myelomalacia and arachnoidal adhesions tethering the cord. (c)Sagittal T1 weighted section demonstrates the cystic myelomalacia but cannot identify the adhesions and tethering.
Figure 6. Sagittal (a) and axial (b) CISS images demonstrating arachnoiditis associated with past surgery and Myodil myelography. Residual Myodil is filling the thecal cul-de-sac (arrowhead). Note the "empty" thecal sac with the spinal roots adherent to the posterior thecal wall (arrow).
Figure 7. (a) Sagittal CISS image clearly demonstrating multiple arachnoidal adhesions and focal compressive entrapped cerebrospinal fluid pouches within the subarachnoid space. (b) The corresponding sagittal T2 weighted image dose not have the spatial resolution to define the extent of the adhesions and the smaller arachnoidal cysts.
Figure 8. Sagittal reconstructed CISS image showing the expanded subarachnoid space associated with dural ectasia in a child with neurofibromatosis. There are no associated neurofibromata.
Figure 9. (a) T1 weighted and (b) T2 weighted sagittal images of the cervical region in a patient with Chiari I malformation associated with syringomyelia. (c) Sagittal CISS image of the same patient demonstrates the metameric haustration in greater clarity and the cephalad extent of the syringomyelia.
Figure 10. Sagittal CISS image in Chiari II malformation demonstrating a characteristic cervicomedullary kink and cystic dilatation of the caudal fourth ventricle. Forking of the caudal end of the cerebral aqueduct is also clearly demonstrated along with tectal beaking and clival concavity.
Figure 11. Repaired cervical myelomeningocoele with late retethering. (a) T1 weighted sagittal image shows a slender cord cavity (arrow). (b) Sagittal CISS image clearly delineates neural tissue extending dorsally to the surgical repair site and more clearly defines the short segment hydrosyringomyelia (arrow).
Figure 13. (a) T2 weighted sagittal image of the thoracolumbar spine showing an intraspinal schwannoma. (b) Post-gadolinium T1 weighted section showing marked enhancement of the tumour. (c) Sagittal CISS image clearly defines the margins and morphology of the tumour and its relationship to the cauda equina.
