Objective To explore the value of CT spinal angiography with 256 MSCT and fast dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography (CE-MRA) at 3.0 T in the diagnosis of spinal vascular malformations by comparing with results of DSA and operation.MethodsSeventeen patients suspected of spinal vascular diseases by initial MR and clinical manifestations all underwent CT spinal angiography.Of them,10 patients underwent MRA,15 patients underwent DSA within 3-5 days,and 8 patients finally underwent surgical treatment.ResultsCTA examination clearly showed the abnormal vascular lesions in 16 of 17 cases,including 7 cases with the diagnosis of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula,7 cases of perimedullary arteriovenous fistula,and 2 cases of spinal arteriovenous malformations. The results were consistent with the diagnosis of DSA or surgery.One case was poorly diagnosed.The feeding vessels were correctly determined in 12 cases,and the level of fistulas were correctly displayed in 12 cases.The level of fistulas and feeding vessels were accurately showed in 7 of 10 cases with MRA,while the other 3 cases exhibited normal with DSA.ConclusionsSpinal angiography with 256 MSCT and CE-MRA at 3.0 T can clearly show the extent of spinal vascular malformations,feeding arteries and fistula location.They are safe,noninvasive,convinient and can shorten the time of DSA diagnosis and treatment.They play an important role in diagnosis and treatment of spinal vascular malformations and postoperative follow-up.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)measurements,fiber tracking(FT)and the clinical symptoms in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods According to the Japanese orthopaedics association score(JOA),104 patients with cervical spondylopathy were divided into 4 groups:mild in 31 patients with 13-16 scores,moderate in 27 with 9-12 scores,severe in 25 with 5-8 scores,and serious in 21 with 0-4 scores.According to the lesion signal characters,all patients were divided into 3 groups:Group A with normal signal in both T1 WI and T2WI in 33 patients,Group B with normal signal in T1WI but high signal in T2WI in 30 patients,and Group C with low signal in T1 WI and high signal in T2WI in 41 patients.Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC),fractional anisotropy(FA),λ1,λ2,λ3 were measured in the spinal cord at the serious pressed section,and fiber tractography was performed.The Spearman correlation analyses was used to correlate each of the DTI measurement with JOA score.Group difference was tested with one-way ANOVA method.Results High quality of DTI was acquired in all patients.The FA values in the mild,moderate,severe,and serious groups were respectively 0.69 ±0.13,0.58 ±0.03,0.46 ±0.08,and 0.37 ±0.11 and significant difference was found in different groups(F =100.59,P ＜ 0.05)and positively correlated with JOA scores (r =0.883,P ＜ 0.05).There was no statistical significance between JOA scores and ADC,λ1,λ2,λ3(r=0.232,0.217,0.113,0.127,P ＞0.05).The FA values in group A,B,and C were respectively 0.67 ±0.33,0.51 ±0.21,0.38 ±0.03,and significant difference was found among different groups(F =50.05,P ＜ 0.05).Decrease of JOA score and high signal in T2 companied with decrease of FA value.Decrease of FA values was found associated with increase of fiber bundle damage.The ADC,λ2,λ3 but not λ1 were significantly different among the JOA groups and the group A,B,and C.Conclusions The FA values are positively correlated with clinical symptoms.Decrease of FA values is found associated with increase of fiber bundle damage.DTI can show the severity and extent of damage of spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.