CT
Axial bone window
Axial bone window
Sagittal
Sagittal bone window
Sagittal non-contrast
Describe the causes of iatrogenic gas seen in the spinal canal?
Epidural injection, analgesia, surgery.
What is the term given to the finding of gas in the spinal canal (and can you name any synonyms)?
Pneumorrhachis (and its synonyms are: intraspinal gas / epidural pneumatosis / aerorachia)
What are the possible causes of gas in the spinal canal?
Iatrogenic, infective, traumatic causes.
CT done for this adolescent polytrauma patient showed: in addition to the base of skull fracture with resultant pneumocephalus, gas is seen in the cervical epidural space and entire spinal canal that is named as pneumorrhachis. Partial anterior wedging of T12 vertebra with fracture of the right transverse process of L3.