Hirayama Disease: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Manifestations and Single Centre Experience

Purpose: A retrospective study to evaluate various MR imaging spectrums of clinically diagnosed cases of Hirayama disease. Materials and Method: This study included a review of images of 13 patients on the hospital information system who underwent imaging evaluation for suspected Hirayama disease on 3 Tesla MRI scanner in postcontrast neutral and flexion positions. Images were evaluated for the following findings: Localised lower cervical cord atrophy, asymmetric cord flattening, Abnormal cervical curvature, an Increased signal on T2WS, Loss of attachment between posterior dura and lamina, presence of flow void with enhancement. Observations: Lower cervical cord atrophy, anterior dural shift with flexion, and postcontrast enhancement of epidural component was found in thirteen out of thirteen patients (100%), followed by the hyperintense signal in T2WS in the cord which was found in 11 patients. Loss of attachment of posterior dura and subjacent lamina and abnormal curvature of the spine was found in 9 out of thirteen patients (91.3%), prominent epidural flow void was found in eight out of thirteen patients (61.5%), the thoracic extension of enhancing epidural component was found in five patients (38.4%).