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
Bilateral facet dislocation
A bilateral facet dislocation is an unstable flexion distraction type of dislocation of the cervical spine, often a result of buckling force. Occasionally, the bilateral facet dislocation has been named a 'doubly-locked' vertebral injury giving the impression of stability. However, due to comple...
Article
Magnetic resonance neurography
Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is a relatively new non-invasive imaging technique for dedicated assessment of peripheral nerves.
It is used to assess peripheral nerve entrapments and impingements as well as localization and grading of nerve injuries and lesions.
Dedicated high-resolution...
Article
Fluoroscopic myelography
Fluoroscopic myelography is a technique that allows the visualization of the theca by the introduction of contrast medium into the CSF. This is usually accomplished by a lumbar puncture, or less commonly a suboccipital puncture.
The patient can then be tilted and rotated to cause the contrast, ...
Article
Spinal cord stimulator
Spinal cord stimulators, also known as dorsal column stimulators, are surgically placed devices intended to provide symptom relief in individuals with chronic neurological pain (e.g. failed back syndrome, brachial plexopathy, complex regional pain syndrome).
However, their use remains controver...
Article
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum
Ossification of the ligamentum flavum is a phenomenon where there is a formation of ossific-calcific components in the ligamentum flavum. It is a recognized cause of myelopathy, especially in the thoracic and to a lesser degree the cervical region.
Epidemiology
The condition as a whole is unco...
Article
Intramedullary spinal metastasis
Intramedullary spinal metastases are rare, occurring in ~1% of autopsied cancer patients, and are less common than leptomeningeal metastases.
Intramedullary lesions may result from:
growth along the Virchow-Robin spaces
hematogenous dissemination
direct extension from the leptomeninges
Epid...
Article
Laminectomy
Laminectomy is the resection of the lamina of a vertebral body. By removing the lamina the spinal canal is decompressed reducing pressure on the spinal cord / cauda equina.
Terminology
When only one of the lamina is resected the terms hemilaminectomy or unilateral hemilaminectomy can be used d...
Article
Disc herniation
Disc herniation refers to the displacement of intervertebral disc material beyond the normal confines of the disc but involving less than 25% of the circumference (to distinguish it from a disc bulge). A herniation may contain nucleus pulposus, vertebral endplate cartilage, apophyseal bone/osteo...
Article
Transforaminal epidural steroid injection
Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI), also known as transforaminal nerve root injections or nerve root blocks, are performed for the treatment and diagnosis of radicular pain. They differ from selective nerve root blocks (SNRB), as the aim is to get an "epidural spill" and get the ...
Article
Insufficiency fracture
Insufficiency fractures are a type of stress fracture, which are the result of normal stresses on abnormal bone. Looser zones are also a type of insufficiency fracture. They should not be confused with fatigue fractures which are due to abnormal stresses on normal bone, or with pathological frac...
Article
Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL)
Cerebral autosomal recessive arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CARASIL) is a systemic genetic disorder affecting the cerebral small vessels, spine and hair follicles.
CARASIL is an HTRA1-related cerebral small vessel disease, and thus is closely related to, but dis...
Article
Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis refers to an infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Coccidioides spp., usually localized to the lungs. This disease is not to be confused with the similarly named paracoccidioidomycosis.
Epidemiology
The most common species of Coccidioides are Coccidioides immitis and Cocc...
Article
Fleck sign (foot)
The fleck sign in the foot is a small bony fragment seen in the Lisfranc space (between the base of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal) associated with avulsion of the Lisfranc ligament (at the base of the 2nd metatarsal or the medial cuneiform). It is a very subtle, but important finding since it predi...
Article
Ancient schwannoma
Ancient schwannomas are long-standing, benign (WHO grade 1) slow growing schwannomas with advanced degeneration. The term “ancient” has been traditionally used to describe schwannomas showing degenerative changes and diffuse hypocellular ischemic areas 1-3,9.
Pathology
These tumors demonstrate...
Article
Gracile fasciculus
The gracile fasciculus, also known as the fasciculus gracilis (plural: fasciculi graciles) or column of Goll, represents the medial portion of the dorsal columns and carries input from below and including T7 1.
Function
The gracile fasciculus is responsible for transmitting vibration, consciou...
Article
Transitional vertebra
A transitional vertebra is one that has indeterminate characteristics and features of vertebrae from adjacent vertebral segments. They occur at the junction between spinal morphological segments:
atlanto-occipital junction
atlanto-occipital assimilation: complete or partial fusion of C1 and th...
Article
Craniovertebral junction anomalies
Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies can be congenital, developmental or due to malformation secondary to an acquired disease process. These anomalies can lead to cranial nerve compression, vertebral artery compression, and obstructive hydrocephalus.
Pathology
The craniovertebral junction ...
Article
Lumbar spine protocol (MRI)
The MRI lumbar spine protocol encompasses a set of MRI sequences for the routine assessment of the lumbar spine.
Note: This article aims to frame a general concept of an MRI protocol for the assessment of the lumbar spine. Protocol specifics will vary depending on MRI scanner type, specific har...
Article
Hopkins syndrome
Hopkins syndrome is a rare poliomyelitis-like neurological syndrome that occurs following an episode of acute asthma.
Clinical presentation
It usually manifests as flaccid paralysis of one or more limbs, several days or weeks following an episode of acute asthma.
Pathology
The pathogenesis i...
Article
Cervical spine protocol (MRI)
The MRI cervical spine protocol encompasses a set of MRI sequences for the routine assessment of the cervical spine.
Note: This article aims to frame a general concept of an MRI protocol for the assessment of the cervical spine. Protocol specifics will vary depending on MRI scanner type, specif...