Comparative Analysis of Volumetric High-Resolution Heavily T2-Weighted MRI and Time-Resolved Contrast-Enhanced MRA in the Evaluation of Spinal Vascular Malformations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Volumetric high-resolution heavily T2-weighted imaging or time-resolved contrast-enhanced MRA is used in the detection and characterization of spinal vascular malformations, though inherent trade-offs can affect their overall sensitivity and accuracy. We compared the efficacy of volumetric high-resolution heavily T2-weighted and time-resolved contrast-enhanced images in spinal vascular malformation diagnosis and feeder characterization and assessed whether a combined evaluation improved the overall accuracy of diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with spinal vascular malformations (spinal dural arteriovenous fistula, spinal cord arteriovenous malformation, and perimedullary arteriovenous fistula) were prospectively enrolled. MR images were separately analyzed by 2 neuroradiologists blinded to the final diagnosis.

RESULTS: Both sequences demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 93.5% accuracy for the detection of spinal vascular malformations. Volumetric high-resolution heavily T2-weighted imaging was superior to time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR imaging for identification of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (100% versus 90% sensitivity and 96.7% versus 93.5% accuracy), however, for the diagnosis of perimedullary arteriovenous fistula, time resolved contrast enhanced MRI was found to perform better than the volumetric T2 sequence (80% versus 60% sensitivity and 96.7% versus 93.5% accuracy). Both sequences showed equal sensitivity (100%) and accuracy (87%) for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. Combined evaluation improved the overall accuracy across all types of spinal vascular malformation. Volumetric high-resolution heavily T2-weighted imaging was superior or equal to time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR imaging for feeder identification of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas for both observers (90.9% and 72.7% versus 72.7%), which improved to 90.9% when the sequences were combined. Time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR imaging performed better for major and total feeder identification of spinal cord arteriovenous malformation (80% versus 60%) and perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (80% versus 60%–80%).

CONCLUSIONS: Combined volumetric high-resolution heavily T2-weighted imaging and time-resolved contrast-enhanced MR imaging can improve the sensitivity and accuracy of spinal vascular malformation diagnosis, classification, and feeder characterization.