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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Radiol Imaging 2010; 20(04): 245-249
DOI: 10.4103/0971-3026.73528
Neuroradiology

MRI findings in Hirayama disease

Monali Raval
Department of Neuroradiology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, India
,
Rima Kumari
Department of Neuroradiology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, India
,
Aldrin Anthony Dung Dung
Department of Neurology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi, India
,
Bhuvnesh Guglani
Department of Neuroradiology, Focus Imaging and Research Institute, IHBAS Campus, Delhi, India
,
Nitij Gupta
Department of Neuroradiology, Focus Imaging and Research Institute, IHBAS Campus, Delhi, India
,
Rohit Gupta
Department of Neuroradiology, B.K. Medical Centre, Delhi, India
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Abstract

The objective of the study was to study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of Hirayama disease on a 3 Tesla MRI scanner. Nine patients with clinically suspected Hirayama disease were evaluated with neutral position, flexion, contrast-enhanced MRI and fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) sequences. The spectrum of MRI features was evaluated and correlated with the clinical and electromyography findings. MRI findings of localized lower cervical cord atrophy (C5-C7), abnormal curvature, asymmetric cord flattening, loss of attachment of the dorsal dural sac and subjacent laminae in the neutral position, anterior displacement of the dorsal dura on flexion and a prominent epidural space were revealed in all patients on conventional MRI as well as with the dynamic 3D-FIESTA sequence. Intramedullary hyperintensity was seen in four patients on conventional MRI and on the 3D-FIESTA sequence. Flow voids were seen in four patients on conventional MRI sequences and in all patients with the 3D-FIESTA sequence. Contrast enhancement of the epidural component was noted in all the five patients with thoracic extensions. The time taken for conventional and contrast-enhanced MRI was about 30-40 min, while that for the 3D-FIESTA sequence was 6 min. Neutral and flexion position MRI and the 3D-FIESTA sequence compliment each other in displaying the spectrum of findings in Hirayama disease. A flexion study should form an essential part of the screening protocol in patients with suspected Hirayama disease. Newer sequences such as the 3D-FIESTA may help in reducing imaging time and obviating the need for contrast.

Keywords

Flexion MR - Hirayama disease - 3D-FIESTA sequence


Publication History

Article published online:
02 August 2021

© 2010. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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