Presumed venous infarction in spinal decompression sickness.

We describe the serial MR imaging findings in a patient with spinal decompression sickness. In the acute phase, the spinal cord was swollen, with increased T2 signal in the posterior part of the column; 1 month later, marked contrast enhancement was noted in the same location; and 2 months later, the swelling and T2 signal had decreased. MR imaging may facilitate the early diagnosis of spinal decompression sickness.