Der Radiologe
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To evaluate characteristic and reliable MRI patterns of different inflammatory lesions of the spinal cord and the nerve roots in immunologically compromised and immunologically competent patients in order to be able to establish a correct diagnosis based on MRI findings. ⋯ Secondary ischemic and demyelinating processes result in a complex morphology of inflammatory lesions on MRI, and therefore the whole spectrum of demyelinating, ischemic and inflammatory lesions has to be included in the differential diagnosis. Even tumors may imitate inflammatory myelitis and radiculitis. Most commonly, meningoradiculitis can be separated from myelitis. A reliable diagnosis of a specific inflammatory lesion is difficult and is mostly achieved in patients with multiple sclerosis and in patients with HIV-associated cytomegalovirus infection.