Diagnostic Modalities in Spine: An Overview

This detailed overview discusses various diagnostic modalities used in spine evaluations, including plain X-rays, X-ray with localization, CT scans, and MRI. Each modality's benefits and applications are explored, aiding in understanding different imaging techniques for spine pathology assessments.

• Spine Diagnostic Modalities
• X-ray Imaging
• CT Scans
• MRI Evaluation
• Spine Pathology

kan_luv Follow

Uploaded on Oct 06, 2024 | 0 Views

Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.

You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.

The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.

Presentation Transcript

1. Diagnostic Modalities in Spine Cyrus Wong, M.D. Department of Neurological Surgery Vanderbilt University Medical Center

2. Plain Xray Historically used to diagnose all types of pathology related to the spine It relies on ionizing radiation to provide images The more dense an object the brighter the image That is why bone appears white on plain x-rays

3. Xray Cont. Used to help with localization in the operating room Allows to evaluate alignment Provides information with regards to stability Provides information about hardware placement

4. Cervical Spine Xray AP LAT

5. Thoracic Spine Xray Lat AP

6. Lumbar Spine Xray AP LAT

7. Examples of Fusion

8. CT Scans A computed tomography (CT) scan uses x-rays to make detailed pictures of the spine It has the ability to reconstitute the images in the axial, sagittal and coronal plane It gives higher resolution pictures when compared to plain x-ray Excellent modality to evaluate fractures (spine trauma) Gives more information about soft tissue when compared to plan x-ray but not as sensitive as MRI Less time consuming than MRI

9. Cervical Spine Sagittal CT Axial CT showing fracture

10. C-Spine Cont. Coronal Sagittal

11. Lumbar and Thoracic CT Axial Sagittal

12. Thoracolumbar Fractures Compression Fracture Fracture Disslocation

13. MRI Uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make images Excellent image quality for soft tissue when compared to plain xray and CT The study of choice to evaluate soft tissue such as intervertebral disk, thecal sac, ligaments, joints and spinal cord Contrasted study is widely used in the detection of tumors

14. MRI Cont. Various sequences give different information T1 sequence Anatomic image Fat (bone Marrow) and Subacute blood (>48 hrs. old) appear bright (white) CSF and bone appear dark Most pathology appears dark but can enhance with contrast

15. MRI Cont. T2 Sequence Used to evaluate pathology Most pathology appears bright (white) Edema and CSF appear bright Bone and Fat appear dark Healthy Intervertebral disk appear bright

16. C-Spine MRI Sagittal T1 Axial T2 Sagittal T2

17. Cervical Stenosis Axial T2 Sagittal T2

18. Lumbar MRI Sagittal T2 Axial T2

19. Herniated Lumbar Disc Sagittal T2 Axial T2

20. EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies Studies used to help localize the site of compression Help delineate radiculopathy from neuropathy, myopathy or myelopathy Highly operator dependent Not recommended for use in the acute setting NCV useful in assessing entrapment neuropathies