Most spinal cord infarctions are detected by MRI. After a few days, there are obvious lesions on the T2 sequences, presumably reflecting edema that extends over several levels. There may be slight enhancement after infusion of gadolinium. MRI taken in the first hours or day is often normal. In the chronic stages, the infarcted region collapses and has an attenuated signal on MRI. Ref: Ropper A.H., Samuels M.A. (2009). Chapter 44. Diseases of the Spinal Cord. In A.H. Ropper, M.A. Samuels (Eds), Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology, 9e.