MR imaging of the spinal cord: current status and future advances.

The advent of MR imaging has dramatically altered the evaluation of suspected myelopathy. MR is far less invasive than traditional imaging techniques and often offers a degree of understanding of an abnormality not previously possible. These achievements have closely followed recent technologic advances, such as the development of contrast agents and the introduction of sequences that permit a reduction in both imaging time and artifacts. The current role of MR in the imaging of spinal cord disorders, including intramedullary tumors, infectious and inflammatory myelitis, demyelinating diseases, vascular lesions, trauma, syringomyelia/hydromyelia, and neurodegenerative disorders, is reviewed. While further improvements will undoubtedly occur, the field of spinal MR imaging appears to be entering a maturing phase.