# It Looks Like a Spinal Cord Tumor but It Is Not

## TL;DR

This review explains how to distinguish spinal cord tumors from other similar-looking conditions using detailed MRI analysis.

## Contribution

The paper provides a structured radiological approach to differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic spinal cord pathologies.

## Key findings

- Spinal cord tumors are rare compared to non-tumoral myelopathies.
- MRI is essential for identifying spinal cord tumor mimics.
- Inflammatory, vascular, and infectious diseases are common causes of spinal pseudotumors.

## Abstract

This review delineates the diagnostic challenges in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic spinal cord pathologies, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive radiological evaluation. An integral component of this evaluation is the detailed analysis of MRI findings to accurately diagnose lesions that mimic spinal cord tumors. It emphasizes the need for careful consideration of common non-surgical myelopathies in differential diagnoses due to their higher prevalence. Additionally, the review discusses the principal etiologies of spinal pseudotumors, including inflammatory, vascular, and infectious neurological diseases. This approach aims to refine diagnostic accuracy and enhance clinical decision-making by providing a nuanced understanding of the varied manifestations of spinal cord pathologies.

Differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic spinal cord pathologies may be challenging due to overlapping clinical and radiological features. Spinal cord tumors, which comprise only 2–4% of central nervous system tumors, are rarer than non-tumoral myelopathies of inflammatory, vascular, or infectious origins. The risk of neurological deterioration and the high rate of false negatives or misdiagnoses associated with spinal cord biopsies require a cautious approach. Facing a spinal cord lesion, prioritizing more common non-surgical myelopathies in differential diagnoses is essential. A comprehensive radiological diagnostic approach is mandatory to identify spinal cord tumor mimics. The diagnostic process involves a multi-step approach: detecting lesions primarily using MRI techniques, precise localization of lesions, assessing lesion signal intensity characteristics, and searching for potentially associated anomalies at spinal cord and cerebral MRI. This review aims to delineate the radiological diagnostic approach for spinal cord lesions that may mimic tumors and briefly highlight the primary pathologies behind these lesions.