Authors' Reply in response to the correspondence about the article 'hirayama disease in children from North America' Published in journal of child neurology Dec 2011 issue

摘要

We thank Dr Yavuz for his interest in our study and sharing his thoughtful comments. Various magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features have been described in Hirayama disease, which include localized asymmetrical/symmetrical atrophy of the lower cervical cord, prominence and enhancement of posterior epidural venous plexus on flexion studies, and anterior shifting of posterior dural sac on flexion. Those findings have been reported as highly suggestive but not diagnostic of Hirayama disease. MRI cervical spine is, however, important for making a diagnosis of Hirayama disease as it not only helps exclude other diagnostic considerations but may show somewhat specific diagnostic finding(s).