MR Imaging Determination of the Location of the Normal Conus Medullaris Throughout Childhood
This retrospective study was designed to determine the location of the conus medullaris in normal children by reviewing a series of MR images of the lumbar spine. The study group consisted of 184 children ranging in age from newborn to 20 years who had a
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Annual Review 01 Hydrocephalus
MR Imaging Determination of the Location of the Normal Conus Medullaris Throughout Childhood Don A.
WILSON
and John R.
PRINCE
Magnetic Resonance Center, Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
This retrospective study was designed to determine the location of the conus medullaris in normal children by reviewing aseries of MR images of the lumbar spine . The study group consisted of 184 children ranging in age from newborn to 20 years who had anormal conus level as reported by the radiologist of record. The range of conus levels for the entire group of normal children was T12 to L3. The range for the 0-2-year old group was T12 to L2-L3 with an average of Ll-L2. The range of conus levels for the 19-20-year old group was Ll to L2 with an average of Ll-L2. We conclude that the conus medullaris does not aseend throughout childhood as stated by previous authors but attains the adult level sometime during the first few months of life. A conus level at L2-L3 or above should be considered normal at any age. A conus level at L3 is indeterminate, since it is possible for anormal or tethered conus to be located at this level. (AJNR 10: 259-262, 1989) Key words: Conus medullaris, Tethered cord, MR children
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(31)
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1
(25J
2
3
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4
5
[14J
6
7
[12J
8
9
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10
[21]
[10)
11 12 13 14 15
[17J
(20)
16 17 18 19 20
[100J
Adult
Age in Years
Figure. Average conus level (dots) and range (vertical bars) are indicated for 184 normal children, ages newborn to 20 years, and for 100 adults.
S. Matsumoto et al. (eds.), Annual Review of Hydrocephalus © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1991
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