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.
742 results found
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 recognized 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
Traynelis classification of atlanto-occipital dislocations
The Traynelis classification of atlanto-occipital dislocations describes injuries of the atlanto-occipital joint according to the displacement of the occipital condyles relative to the atlas:
type I: anterior displacement
type II: longitudinal distraction (superior-inferior displacement)
type...
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 hemangioma)
The corduroy sign refers to vertically-oriented, thickened trabeculae seen in intraosseous hemangiomas 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 trabec...
Article
Chiari II malformation
Chiari II malformations are relatively common congenital malformations of the spine and posterior fossa characterized by myelomeningocele (lumbosacral spina bifida aperta) and a small posterior fossa with descent of the brainstem, cerebellar tonsils, and vermis through the foramen magnum. Numero...
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 tumors 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 pseudotumor
Retro-odontoid pseudotumors, also known as periodontoid pseudotumors, 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 miner...
Article
Hangman fracture
Hangman fracture, also known as traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis, is a fracture which involves the pars interarticularis of C2 on both sides, and is a result of hyperextension and distraction.
Epidemiology
These injuries account for 4-7% of all cervical spine fractures and up to 22% of ...
Article
Ganglioneuroma
Ganglioneuromas are fully differentiated neuronal tumors that do not contain immature elements and potentially occur anywhere along with the peripheral autonomic ganglion sites.
On imaging, usually, they present as well-defined solid masses and can be quite large at presentation. Generally, th...
Article
Spinal epidural abscess
Spinal epidural abscess represents infection of the epidural space, located between the spinal dura mater and the vertebral periosteum. It can present with rapidly deteriorating neurological function due to compression. Imaging is best performed with MRI and emergency surgery is often required. ...
Article
Jarcho-Levin syndrome
Jarcho-Levin syndrome, or spondylothoracic dysostosis, is a rare genetic disorder.
Terminology
Previously, spondylocostal dysostosis was considered part of the Jarcho-Levin syndrome spectrum.
Epidemiology
The exact prevalence of this disease is unknown.
Clinical presentation
It is primaril...
Article
Rim sign (spinal cord metastasis)
The rim sign has been described as a helpful MRI sign of spinal cord metastases, enabling them to be distinguished from other enhancing spinal cord lesions (e.g. ependymoma and astrocytoma).
Radiographic features
MRI
The rim sign is seen on sagittal post contrast T1 weighted imaging of the s...
Article
Flame sign (spinal cord metastasis)
The flame sign has been described as a helpful MRI sign of spinal cord metastases, enabling them to be distinguished from other enhancing spinal cord lesions (e.g. ependymoma, astrocytoma and hemangioblastoma) 1.
Radiographic features
MRI
The flame sign is seen on sagittal post contrast T1 w...
Article
Ligamentum flavum
The ligamenta flava (singular: ligamentum flavum) are paired ligaments which run between adjacent laminae of the vertebral bodies and are present from C2/3 to the sacrum. Above the C2/3 level, the equivalent structures are known as the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane between the skull base ...
Article
Denver criteria for blunt cerebrovascular injury
The Denver criteria are a set of screening criteria used to determine when CT angiography of the neck is indicated to detect blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) in patients presenting after trauma.
Screening criteria
The Denver criteria were initially developed in 1996 1, modified in 2005 to ...
Article
Schmorl nodes
Schmorl nodes, also known as intravertebral disc herniations, refer to protrusions of the cartilage of the intervertebral disc through the vertebral body endplate and into the adjacent vertebra. The protrusions may contact the marrow of the vertebra, leading to inflammation.
Epidemiology
Quies...
Article
Discal cyst
Discal cysts (also known as a disk cyst or disc cyst) are uncommon lesions of the spine, representing an extrathecal cyst which communicates with the adjacent intervertebral disc through an annular fissure.
Epidemiology
The vast majority of discal cysts, as rare as they are, have been reporte...
Article
Klippel-Feil syndrome
Klippel-Feil syndrome is a complex heterogeneous entity that results in cervical vertebral fusion. Two or more non-segmented cervical vertebrae are usually sufficient for diagnosis.
Epidemiology
There is a recognized female predilection 1. Klippel-Feil syndrome has an incidence of 1:40,000-42,...
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