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
Transpyloric plane
The transpyloric plane, also known as Addison's plane, is an imaginary axial plane located midway between the jugular notch and superior border of pubic symphysis, at approximately the level of L1 vertebral body. It an important landmark as many key structures are visualized at this level, altho...
Article
Neurenteric canal of Kovalevsky
The neurenteric canal or canal of Kovalevsky is the transient communication of the amnion through notochordal canal to the yolk sac during notochordal formation at day 16-17.
Abnormalities during this stage produce the neurenteric cyst spectrum.
Article
Uncinate process of the cervical spine
The uncinate process of the cervical spine is a hook-shaped process found bilaterally on the superolateral margin of the cervical vertebral bodies of C3-C7.
The uncinate processes are more anteriorly positioned in the upper cervical spine and more posteriorly located in the lower cervical spine...
Article
Anterior sacral meningocele
Anterior sacral meningocele is a congenital defect seen in the anterior aspect of the spine. It is defined as a meningeal cyst that occurs in the presacral space secondary to agenesis of a portion of the anterior sacrum.
Pathology
Associations
In approximately 50% of cases, associated malform...
Article
Sympathetic nervous system
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS), mediated by the sympathetic chain (trunk) and ganglia, is a major division of the autonomic nervous system. It is composed of general visceral afferent and efferent axons that allow for involuntary control of bodily functions via the hypothalamus.
The over...
Article
Epidural angiolipoma
Epidural angiolipomas are rare benign tumors composed of mature adipocytes and abnormal vessels.
Epidemiology
Epidural angiolipomas are more frequently encountered in women, and typically in middle age (40-50 years of age) 1.
Clinical presentation
In keeping with the slow growth of these t...
Article
Epidural lipomatosis
Epidural lipomatosis refers to an excessive accumulation of fat within the spinal epidural space resulting in compression of the thecal sac. In severe cases, compression may be symptomatic. The lumbar region is most frequently affected.
Epidemiology
The demographics of affected individuals ref...
Article
Tabes dorsalis
Tabes dorsalis is a form of tertiary late neurosyphilis in which there is demyelination of the posterior columns of the spinal cord.
For a general discussion, and for links to other system specific manifestations, please refer to the article on syphilis.
Clinical presentation
Patients presen...
Article
Facet joint vacuum phenomenon
Facet joint vacuum phenomenon or degenerative intrafacetal gas is a feature that can be seen on spinal imaging in facet joint arthropathy as part of degenerative spondylosis. This is a joint-specific example of the vacuum phenomenon.
Radiographic features
MRI signal characteristics are those o...
Article
Vertebral artery
The vertebral arteries (VA) are paired arteries, each arising from the respective subclavian artery and ascending in the neck to supply the posterior fossa and occipital lobes, as well as provide segmental vertebral and spinal column blood supply.
Summary
origin: branches of the 1st part of th...
Article
Bullet-shaped vertebra
Bullet-shaped vertebra, also known as ovoid vertebra, refers to the anterior beaking of the vertebral body.
It is seen in the following conditions:
mucopolysaccharidosis
Hurler disease usually with inferior beaking
Morquio disease often with central beaking
achondroplasia
congenital hypoth...
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
Scoliosis (lateral bending view)
Scoliosis lateral bending views are additional scoliosis projections accompanying the standard PA/AP and lateral views.
Indications
The aim of this view is to assess patients' lateral range of spinal motion 1 in the vertebral column as part of a scoliosis series.
Patient position
patient er...
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