Craniovertebral junction pathology: assessment by NMR.

In nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies choice of imaging plane is achieved by a variety of methods that restrict data collection to the desired region. This means that the additional perspectives of direct sagittal and coronal views are possible. In sections traversing the brainstem and cervical cord the neural tissue is clearly seen contrasted against the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). NMR studies of a wide variety of lesions in the vicinity of the craniovertebral junction, including congenital and acquired bony deformities, intrinsic tumors, and syringomyelia, are evaluated. It is concluded that the assessment of clinical problems involving this region is simplified by NMR imaging and that its use will probably allow more invasive procedures to be avoided.