Imaging Appearance of Intrathecal Catheter Tip Granulomas: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to discuss the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of intrathecal catheter tip inflammatory masses and to review the literature regarding this phenomenon.CONCLUSION. Formation of inflammatory masses at catheter tips can complicate chronic intrathecal opioid administration and have devastating neurologic sequelae. It is critical that radiologists recognize this entity and prompt immediate neurosurgical evaluation.

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