Discopathies and secondaries account for the great majority of pathological conditions in the epidural space (ES) of the spinal canal, i.e. lesions based on structures of adjacent vertebrae and intervertebral spaces. The ES is however connected with the neighbourhood by intervertebral foramina with ample blood vessels. Pathological processes from the vicinity (retroperitoneum, mediastinum, pelvis and cervical area) may penetrate into the ES per continuitatem. In particular inflammations and exceptionally also secondaries spread into the ES by the haematogenic route. The authors demonstrate a group of 55 patients with uncommon findings: lymphomas and leukae- mias 15, epidural propagation of multiple myeloma 9, neuroblastoma 2, chondrosarcoma 1, chordo- ma in the cervical spine 1, extradural fibroma 3, epidural abscess 8, traumatic herniation of disc 7, anomalies and cysts 8, epidural lipomatosis 1. Almost all patients were examined by magnetic resonance in basic sequences and planes. Administration of contrast substance by the i.v. route was effective only in tumours and inflammatory processes. Very rare was the finding of a diffuse inflammation in the ES along the whole length of the spinal canal. The finding of a chordoma in the lower cervical spine was also rare.

        Key words: epidural expansion - spinal canal - inflammations - chordoma - magnetic resonance