Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium-DTPA enhancement in the differentiation of benign from neoplastic cord cavitation.

A patient with an extensive spinal cord glioma is presented. The lumbar mass and cervical cavity associated with the tumour were demonstrated by myelography and computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging provided greater detail than these conventional imaging modalities without exposure to ionising radiation and was of considerable additional value in the planning of surgery.