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.
740 results found
Article
Arachnoid cyst
Arachnoid cysts are relatively common benign and asymptomatic lesions occurring in association with the central nervous system, both within the intracranial compartment (most common) as well as within the spinal canal. They are usually located within the subarachnoid space and contain CSF.
On ...
Article
Arachnoiditis
Arachnoiditis is a broad term encompassing inflammation of the meninges and subarachnoid space.
Terminology
Arachnoiditis affecting the cauda equina may be referred to as spinal/lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis.
Clinical presentation
Lumbar spine arachnoiditis can result in leg pain, sensory c...
Article
Spinal metastasis
Spinal metastasis is a vague term that can be variably taken to refer to metastatic disease to any of the following:
vertebral metastases (94%)
may have epidural extension
intradural extramedullary metastases (5%)
intramedullary metastases (1%)
Each of these are discussed separately. Below ...
Article
Benign notochordal cell tumor
Benign notochordal cell tumors are vertebral lesions that are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging of the head or spine. As this is a poorly-recognized entity, it can often be confused with aggressive vertebral lesions, such as a chordoma, when it is seen on imaging.
Term...
Article
Red and yellow flags for guiding imaging of lower back pain
Lower back pain (also known as lumbago) is very common and is often referred for imaging. However, the vast majority of cases are due to benign self-limiting causes which do not require imaging and resolve with conservative measures. Numerous authors have described various methods for supporting...
Article
Neurofibromatosis type 2
Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder (phakomatosis) manifesting as a development of multiple CNS tumors. Unlike neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), it is not associated with neurofibromas. Instead, patients with this disease have
intracranial schwannom...
Article
Neurosarcoidosis
Central nervous system involvement by sarcoidosis, also termed neurosarcoidosis, is relatively common among patients with systemic sarcoidosis and has a bewildering variety of manifestations, often making diagnosis difficult.
For a general discussion of the underlying condition, please refer t...
Article
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy, or simply GFAP astrocytopathy, is a rare inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorder.
Epidemiology
Given the rarity of the condition, epidemiological data pertaining to autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy are not well establishe...
Article
Spinal meningioma
Meningiomas arising from the coverings of the spinal cord are one of the two most common intradural extramedullary spinal tumors, representing 25-30% of all such tumors 2.
This article specifically relates to spinal meningiomas. For a discussion on intracranial meningiomas and a general discus...
Article
Cauda equina neuroendocrine tumor
Cauda equina neuroendocrine tumors are rare sporadic WHO grade 1 tumors, almost invariably found below the conus arising either from the filum terminal or less commonly from the cauda equina 5.
Terminology
These tumors were previously known as spinal paragangliomas however they are molecularl...
Article
Disc osteophyte complex
Disc osteophyte complex is a term used to describe the combination of disc displacement (bulge or herniation) with marginal endplate osteophytes resulting in narrowing of the spinal canal 3.
Terminology
The term was introduced early in the practice of MRI as distinguishing between disc and os...
Article
Cervical spine fracture classification systems
There are several cervical spine fracture/injury classification systems. These can be divided by site and are listed below in order of recency:
upper cervical spine (including craniocervical junction) injuries 1
AO Spine classification of upper cervical injuries
occipital condyle fractures
T...
Article
Gehweiler classification of atlas fractures
The Gehweiler classification of atlas fractures described 5 types of fractures of the atlas. In addition, Dickman classified injuries of the transverse atlantal ligament (a.k.a. transverse band of the cruciform ligament) which has been incorporated into this classification system.
Classificatio...
Article
Hardware failure
Orthopedic implant or hardware failure refers to the failure of the implant to live up to its expected requirements with respect to the manufacturer's or the surgeon's allegations. This includes any complication directly related to the implant such as wear, fractures, dissociations and dislocati...
Article
HTLV-1-associated myelopathy
HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, also known as tropical spastic paraparesis, is primarily seen in Japan, Melanesia and the Caribbean and presents with chronic spastic paraparesis.
Terminology
This condition has been independently described in Japan (HTLV-1 associated myelopathy) and in the Caribb...
Article
Spinal arachnoid mater
The spinal arachnoid mater is a thin, delicate and avascular connective tissue membrane which forms the middle layer of the meninges and covers the spinal cord 1.
Gross anatomy
The spinal arachnoid mater becomes continuous with the cerebral arachnoid mater as it traverses the foramen magnum an...
Article
Hirayama disease
Hirayama disease, also termed monomelic amyotrophy or non-progressive juvenile spinal muscular atrophy of the distal upper limbs, is a type of cervical myelopathy related to flexion movements of the neck. It is considered a benign motor neuron disorder with a stationary stage after a progressive...
Article
Heterogeneous bone marrow signal
Heterogeneous bone marrow signal is a common but challenging MRI finding. It is usually an incidental finding but in a small minority can represent a serious underlying condition such as malignancy. It is most commonly described in the lumbar spine 1-3.
Terminology
No uniform term is used in t...
Article
Nude nerve root
A nude nerve root refers to an uncommon anatomical variant where nerve roots simply exit the theca without investing dural sleeves 1. These have been associated, at least in case reports, with spontaneous craniospinal hypotension 1.
Article
Focal nodular marrow hyperplasia
Focal nodular marrow hyperplasia is a rare, benign condition where there is a localized conversion of red/hematopoietic from yellow/fatty bone marrow. Its main relevance is of having a pseudotumor appearance mimicking skeletal metastases on MRI 1.
Pathology
Location
Most commonly located in t...
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.