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.
743 results found
Article
Intervertebral foramen
The intervertebral foramina, commonly also called the neural foramina, allow passage of structures out of and into the vertebral canal.
Gross anatomy
Boundaries
anterior: lower posterolateral aspect of a vertebral body and the intervertebral disc below, in the thoracic and lumbar regions.
in...
Article
Lumbosacral transitional vertebra
Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are a relatively common variant and can be seen in ~25% (range 15-35%) of the general population 1-3. Non-recognition of this variant and/or poor description in the report can lead to operations or procedures performed at the wrong level.
Depending on ...
Article
Spinal cord tuberculoma
Spinal cord tuberculomas are rare compared to intracranial tuberculomas and can be challenging to diagnose particularly in individuals who are not from endemic areas.
Epidemiology
Only 0.2% of central nervous system tuberculosis shows evidence of spinal cord involvement, and among tuberculosi...
Article
Vertebral body squaring (differential)
Vertebral body squaring refers to the loss of normal concavity of the anterior border of the vertebral body. It is seen in a variety of conditions, some of which are listed below.
Differential diagnosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is the most common cause of vertebral body ...
Article
Cervical spine
The cervical spine (often shortened to C-spine) is the upper part of the spine extending from the skull base to the thorax at the level of the first vertebra with a rib attached to it. It normally consists of seven vertebrae. Its main function is to support the skull and maintain the relative po...
Article
Solitary bone plasmacytoma
Solitary bone plasmacytomas are an uncommon plasma cell tumor which are localized to bone. They may involve any bone, but they have a predisposition for the red marrow-containing axial skeleton:
spinal disease is observed in ~50% (range 34-72%) of cases
the thoracic vertebrae are most commonly...
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
Myelomeningocele
Myelomeningocele, also known as spina bifida cystica, is a complex congenital spinal anomaly that results in spinal cord malformation (myelodysplasia).
Epidemiology
It is one of the most common congenital CNS anomalies and is thought to occur in approximately 1:500 of live births 5. There may...
Article
Ochronosis
Ochronosis, or alkaptonuria (AKU), is a rare multisystem autosomal recessive metabolic disorder.
On imaging, the most particular presentation is on the spine, with osteoporotic bones and dense disc calcifications.
Terminology
The term ochronosis usually refers to the bluish-black discolourat...
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 (Morquio disease, Hurler disease)
achondroplasia
congenital hypothyroidism
progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia 4
Wils...
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...
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