Magnetic resonance imaging of acute intramedullary myelopathy: radiological differential diagnosis for the on-call radiologist

Spinal cord disease is often viewed as having a poor outcome. Although in certain conditions this is true, non-traumatic myelopathy encompasses a vast array of diseases some of which are exquisitely responsive to treatment. Accurate diagnosis becomes important as damage is often progressive and long-term disability and morbidity is related to the degree of neurological impairment when the diagnosis is reached. Out-of-hours magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is generally requested and performed to ascertain whether there is spinal cord compression; however, there are other causes of a cord syndrome, which are more subtle. This review aims to provide a summary of the imaging features of non-traumatic intramedullary spinal cord emergencies, many of which may appear radiologically similar.