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.
More than 200 results
Article
Coronal balance
Coronal balance is one of the features that needs to be assessed on long spine radiographs obtained for spinal deformity, particularly scoliosis. It measures whether or not the upper spine is located over the midline (normal) or off to one side.
Measurement
To assess coronal balance, a vertic...
Article
Congenital scoliosis
Congenital scoliosis refers to scoliosis resulting from a congenital abnormality of the vertebra, e.g. a segmentation or fusion defect.
Terminology
There are several definitions of congenital scoliosis. Some authors include neurological congenital causes. In this article, our focus will only ...
Article
Spondylodiscitis
Spondylodiscitis, (rare plural: spondylodiscitides) also referred to as discitis-osteomyelitis, is characterised 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 utilised 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
Spinal schwannoma
Spinal schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours within the spinal canal, typically arising from spinal nerve roots and it is the most common nerve sheath tumour of spine 11. They are one of the two most common intradural extramedullary spinal tumours, representing 15-50% of such lesions.
Thi...
Article
Lateral hemivertebra
A lateral hemivertebra is a form of hemivertebra which occurs when one of the two chondrification centres 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 ischaemia syndrome
Acute spinal cord ischaemia syndrome, also known as acute spinal cord infarction, is uncommon, but usually presents with profound neurological signs and symptoms, and the prognosis is poor.
Epidemiology
Acute spinal cord ischaemia syndrome represents only 5-8% of acute myelopathies 4,5 and <1...
Article
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) refers to bone formation within the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spinal column.
Epidemiology
There is a recognised greater prevalence in males and in the elderly 3. OPLL is twice as common in men compared with women.
The inc...
Article
Spinal meninges
The spinal meninges (singular: meninx) are contained within the spinal canal and encase the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots and the cauda equina.
Gross anatomy
They are composed of three layers (outer to inner)
dura mater (also known as theca or pachymeninx)
arachnoid mater
pia mater
Colle...
Article
Spinal hydatid disease
Spinal hydatid disease is an uncommon manifestation of hydatid disease, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, or less commonly E. alveolaris or E. multilocularis, and describes a spectrum of disease involving the spinal cord, the spine, or both.
For a general discussion, and fo...
Article
Corduroy sign (vertebral haemangioma)
The corduroy sign refers to vertically-orientated, thickened trabeculae seen in intraosseous haemangiomas of the spine. It is the sagittal and coronal equivalent of the polka-dot sign seen on axial imaging.
It is caused by the replacement of the normal cancellous bone by thickened vertical tra...
Article
Chiari II malformation
Chiari II (Chiari 2) malformations are relatively common congenital malformations of the spine and posterior fossa characterised by myelomeningocele (lumbosacral spina bifida aperta) and a small posterior fossa with descent of the brainstem, cerebellar tonsils, and vermis through the foramen mag...
Article
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVF) are the most common type of spinal vascular malformation, accounting for ~70% of all such lesions.
This article specifically relates to spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. For a discussion of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas refer to the mai...
Article
Meningeal melanocytoma
Meningeal melanocytomas are rare benign primary melanocytic tumours of the CNS that are derived from leptomeningeal melanocytes. They can occur anywhere along the neuraxis but are most commonly found in the spinal canal near the foramen magnum, as well as the posterior cranial fossa, Meckel cave...
Article
Retro-odontoid pseudotumour
Retro-odontoid pseudotumours, also known as periodontoid pseudotumours, are non-neoplastic soft tissue masses adjacent to the odontoid process (dens) of C2, which can cause cervicomedullary compression.
Epidemiology
The prevalence of retro-odontoid soft tissue thickening, particularly with min...
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