Back to the list
Congress: ECR25
Poster Number: C-26816
Type: Poster: EPOS Radiologist (educational)
DOI: 10.26044/ecr2025/C-26816
Authorblock: Ž. Vincetić, A. Hrkać Pustahija, T. Jurišić; Zagreb/HR
Disclosures:
Željka Vincetić: Nothing to disclose
Ana Hrkać Pustahija: Nothing to disclose
Tomislava Jurišić: Nothing to disclose
Keywords: CNS, Neuroradiology spine, MR, Education, Education and training, Inflammation, Neoplasia
Learning objectives To demonstrate the spectrum of possible conditions in conus medullaris and cauda equina, establish their radiological findings, and facilitate their successful distinction.
Read more Background AnatomyThe conus medullaris represents the caudal end of the spinal cord. It narrows and continues as the filum terminale, a fibrous strand providing longitudinal support.  From the same level, nerve roots descend, forming the cauda equina, a bundle of lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal nerves. The conus medullaris typically terminates between the T11 vertebral body and the L2/L3 intervertebral disc. DiagnosticsMRI is essential for assessing normal morphology and signal intensity, which remain consistent in healthy individuals but vary slightly across different imaging sequences....
Read more Findings and procedure details In this overview we present 15 cases of different pathologies found in medullary conus or cauda equina, including ischemia, inflammatory changes, tumors and postsurgical complications, with their typical radiological presentation. Congenital diseases may present perinatally, but also later in life due to occult manifestation or insidious clinical course. [fig 1]  Degenerative processes are common in the spine due to its complex anatomical structure, with each component susceptible to degeneration. A herniated lumbar intervertebral disc is the most common cause of compression in cauda equina syndrome. [fig 2]  Demyelinating diseases are...
Read more Conclusion Medullary cone and cauda equina pathology can be challenging in radiological work-up due to an extensive differential diagnosis and variable appearances. Integrating patient history, symptom onset, and imaging findings is essential for early detection and correct diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach involving neurologists, radiologists and spine surgeons is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and ensuring comprehensive care.
Read more References Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop C. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2020. Kunam VK, Velayudhan V, Chaudhry ZA, Bobinski M, Smoker WRK, Reede DL. Incomplete cord syndromes: Clinical and imaging review. Radiographics. 2018;38(4):1201-1222. doi:10.1148/rg.2018170178  McNamee J, Flynn P, O'Leary S, Love M, Kelly B. Imaging in cauda equina syndrome—a pictorial review. Ulster Med J. 2013 May;82(2):100-8. PMID: 24082289; PMCID: PMC3756868  Jain N, Acharya S, Adsul N, et al. Lumbar canal stenosis: A prospective clinicoradiologic analysis. J Neurol...
Read more
GALLERY