Articles
Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.
743 results found
Article
Spinal schwannoma
Spinal schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors within the spinal canal, typically arising from spinal nerve roots and it is the most common nerve sheath tumor of spine 11. They are one of the two most common intradural extramedullary spinal tumors, representing 15-50% of such lesions.
This a...
Article
Failed back syndrome
Failed back syndrome refers to persistent leg and/or lumbar back pain after a surgical procedure. The pathophysiology of this syndrome is complex, as often the operation was technically successful.
Terminology
Other names for failed back syndrome include failed back surgery syndrome, post-lam...
Article
Osteolytic bone lesion
Osteolytic lesions, lytic or lucent bone lesions are descriptive terms for lesions that replace normal bone or with a vast proportion showing a lower density or attenuation than the normal cancellous bone. This comprises lesions with fatty liquid and solid soft tissue components.
Pathology
Luc...
Article
Spinal ganglioglioma
Spinal gangliogliomas are rare, comprising 1.1% of all spinal cord neoplasms 2. They are more frequent in children, representing 15% of intramedullary neoplasms in the pediatric age group 4.
This article specifically relates to spinal gangliogliomas. For a discussion on intracranial ganglioglio...
Article
Discectomy
Discectomy is the most common surgery for lower back pain performed for the treatment of disc herniations. It is often combined with other spinal procedures such as laminotomy or foraminotomy or artificial disc replacement and other forms of spinal fusion. Discectomy techniques can be generally ...
Article
Spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumor
Spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare. Most cases are secondary to metastatic spread through the subarachnoid space from a primary intracranial tumor although rare cases of primary spinal PNETs have been reported.
This article specifically relates to spinal PNETs. For a discu...
Article
Lymphoma of the spinal cord
Lymphoma of the spinal cord is an uncommon manifestation of lymphoma. Although lymphoma more commonly involves the vertebral body (vertebral body tumors) or epidural compartment, intramedullary lymphoma may rarely occur.
Apparent intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma may often, in fact, represe...
Article
Spinal hemangioblastoma
Spinal hemangioblastomas are the third most common intramedullary spinal neoplasm, representing 2-6% of all intramedullary tumors 1,4,7.
This article specifically relates to spinal hemangioblastomas. For a discussion on intracranial hemangioblastomas and a general discussion of the pathology re...
Article
Low endplate signal on T1
Several conditions may give vertebral endplate T1 low signal on MRI. They include:
ankylosing spondylitis
vertebral metastases
disc infection
haemodialysis
Article
Lumbar disc disease
Lumbar disc disease is a very common entity with a high asymptomatic prevalence. Intervertebral disc abnormalities are found in 25% of individuals below the age of 60, and over 50% in those over the age of 60. It is therefore not enough to demonstrate a disc lesion in someone with non-specific b...
Article
Spondylodiscitis
Spondylodiscitis, (rare plural: spondylodiscitides) also referred to as discitis-osteomyelitis, is characterized by infection involving the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebrae.
Terminology
In adults, the use of the term discitis is generally discouraged as isolated infection of the spin...
Article
Lumbar spine (AP/PA view)
The lumbar spine anteroposterior or posteroanterior view images the lumbar spine in its anatomical position. The lumbar spine generally consists of five vertebrae (see: lumbosacral transitional vertebra).
Indications
This projection is utilized in many imaging contexts including trauma, postop...
Article
Paracondylar process
The paracondylar process, also known as the paraoccipital, paramastoid, parajugular or estiloid process, is a rare anatomical variant of the occipital bone where a bony exostosis extends caudally from the paracondylar region (lateral to the native occipital condyles), typically articulating with...
Article
Craniocervical fixation
Craniocervical fixation, instrumentation or occipitocervical fusion refer to surgical fixation techniques with the goal to stabilize the craniocervical junction.
Indications
Craniocervical fixation is indicated in the setting of craniocervical instability including 2,3:
iatrogenic craniocervi...
Article
Lateral hemivertebra
A lateral hemivertebra is a form of hemivertebra which occurs when one of the two chondrification centers fails to develop. They can be single or multiple and usually associated in the formation of scoliosis.
Pathology
Subtypes
Various subtypes have been described
incarcerated hemivertebra
...
Article
Caudal regression syndrome
Caudal regression syndrome represents a spectrum of structural defects of the caudal region. Malformations vary from isolated partial agenesis of the coccyx to lumbosacral agenesis.
Epidemiology
Caudal regression syndrome is rare, with an estimated incidence of 1:7500-100,000 7,10.
The vast m...
Article
Traumatic spinal cord injury
Traumatic spinal cord injury can manifest as a wide variety of clinical syndromes resulting from damage to the spinal cord or its surrounding structures. It can result from minor injury if the spine is weakened from disease such as ankylosing spondylitis or if there is pre-existing spinal stenos...
Article
Thoracic spine fracture-dislocation
Thoracic spine fracture-dislocations are severe forms of spinal column injuries that occur secondary to high-energy trauma, in which there is vertebral fracture concomitant with dislocation of facet joints and/or the intervertebral disc space. They are mechanically unstable and are associated wi...
Article
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect/spinal dysraphism which can occur to varying degrees of severity. It is often considered the most common congenital CNS malformation.
Terminology
Spina bifida in its strictest sense means defective fusion of the vertebral posterior elements, leading...
Article
Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome
Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome is uncommon, but usually presents with profound neurological signs and symptoms, and the prognosis is poor.
Epidemiology
Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome represents only 5-8% of acute myelopathies 4,5 and <1% of all strokes 7. The demographic of affected...
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