Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Radiation-Induced Myelopathy

Abstract

Radiation myelopathy (RM) is a rare complication of spinal cord irradiation. Diagnosis is based on the history of radiotherapy, laboratory tests, and magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord. The MRI findings may nevertheless be quite unspecific. In this paper, we describe the findings of diffusion tensor imaging in a case of the delayed form of RM. We observed areas of restricted diffusion within the spinal cord which probably corresponded to the ischemic changes. This would concur with the currently accepted pathogenetic theory concerning RM.

Keywords: Radiation myelopathy; diffusion tensor imaging; magnetic resonance imaging.