PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of serially obtained spinal MR images in the diagnosis and clinical follow-up of childhood @entity5011 ( @entity5011 ), and the time period for resolution of contrast enhancement during the course of @entity221 . MATERIAL AND METHODS: Contrast-enhanced spinal MR images of 11 pediatric @entity1 with @entity5011 were reviewed prospectively. In the first group of 6 @entity1 , follow-up MR was performed three times after the 1st, 3rd and 6th months after onset of the disease. In the second group (the other 5 @entity1 ) who had not accepted serial MR examinations, control MR was repeated once after 1 year. @entity1 were graded clinically into five categories according to their initial clinical signs and symptoms and three grades (mild, moderate and severe) according to level of contrast enhancement on T1-weighted images to correlate the severity of enhancement with clinical findings and recovery. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 @entity1 revealed contrast enhancement in varying degrees in the spinal nerve roots surrounding the conus medullaris and extending the length of the cauda equina. One @entity1 showed no contrast enhancement. Anterior nerve roots enhanced more intensely than the posterior roots in 3 @entity1 . Follow-up MR images in all @entity1 revealed diminishing or resolving contrast enhancement in the nerve roots as the clinical symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: We suggest contrast-enhanced spinal MR imaging as a supplementary diagnostic modality in diagnosing @entity5011 , especially when the clinical and electrophysiological findings are equivocal. Follow-up images may play a role in predicting the clinical course of the disease.

Childhood XXXX . MR imaging in diagnosis and follow-up.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity221 :: ('MESH:D005334', 'Disease') :: ['illness'] @entity5011 :: ('MESH:D020275', 'Disease') :: ['GBS', 'Guillain-Barr   syndrome']
@entity5011 :: (MESH:D020275,Disease) :: ['Guillain-Barr   syndrome']
