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
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is the part of the central nervous system found within the vertebral column's spinal canal. The cord extends from the corticomedullary junction at the foramen magnum of the skull down to the tip of the conus medullaris within the lumbar cistern. It is lined by the spinal pia mate...
Article
Von Hippel-Lindau disease
Von Hippel-Lindau (vHL) disease is characterized by the development of numerous benign and malignant tumors in different organs (at least 40 types 1) due to mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 3.
Epidemiology
The disease is rare with an estimated prevalence of 1:35,000-50,...
Article
Iliolumbar ligament
The iliolumbar ligament is a strong band of connective tissue which courses from the transverse process of L5 (in over 96% of cases) to the posterior iliac wing and crest of the ilium. It functions to maintain the alignment of L5 on the sacrum during various movements 1,2.
It is an important la...
Article
C1-C2 false localizing sign (spine)
C1-C2 false localizing sign, sometimes referred to merely as C1-C2 sign, is seen on spinal imaging and can lead to the mislocalization of a CSF leak in individuals with intracranial hypotension.
There are numerous reports of fluid at this location that have been interpreted as the actual site ...
Article
Lumbar spinal stenosis (grading)
Lumbar spinal stenosis grading refers to systems for classifying the severity of lumbar spinal canal stenosis, especially the central zone, around the cauda equina nerve roots.
Overview
There are multiple systems for grading lumbar spinal stenosis in the central zone. The simplest classificati...
Article
Intervertebral disc disease nomenclature
Intervertebral disc disease nomenclature has changed over the years, and a familiarity with current definitions is essential if clear communication is to be achieved via radiology reports or referrals, especially as lumbar disc disease is a common problem and a source of a great deal of imaging....
Article
Tarlov cyst
Tarlov cysts, also called perineural cysts, are CSF-filled dilatations of the nerve root sheath at the dorsal root ganglion (posterior nerve root sheath). These are type II spinal meningeal cysts that are, by definition, extradural but contain neural tissue.
Most Tarlov cysts are asymptomatic, ...
Article
Spinal cord stimulator
Spinal cord stimulators, also known as dorsal column stimulators, are surgically placed devices intended to provide symptom relief in individuals with chronic neurological pain (e.g. failed back syndrome, brachial plexopathy, complex regional pain syndrome).
However, their use remains controver...
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
Pneumorrhachis
Pneumorrhachis refers to the presence of gas within the spinal canal (either intra- or extradural). It is rare.
Clinical presentation
Patients can often be asymptomatic 3.
Pathology
Etiology
Pneumorrhachis can result from a number of causes:
trauma (traumatic pneumorrhachis): can occur in ...
Article
Wackenheim line
The Wackenheim line, also known as the clivus canal line or basilar line, can be used to assess for atlanto-occipital dissociation.
Measurement
The Wackenheim line is the caudal extension of a line drawn along the posterior cortex of the clivus on lateral cervical spine radiographs 1.
Interpr...
Article
CSF-venous fistula
CSF-venous fistulas are an underdiagnosed cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. They are direct communication between the spinal subarachnoid space and epidural veins allowing for the loss of CSF directly into the circulation and can be either iatrogenic or spontaneous in etiology.
Ep...
Article
Lumbar canal stenosis
Lumbar canal stenosis is a general term that refers to the pathological narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve root canals and/or the intervertebral foramina in the lumbar spine 1-4,6,7,9,10.
Epidemiology
Lumbar canal stenosis is common, especially among individuals over 60 years old, and its pr...
Article
Labeled imaging anatomy cases
This article lists a series of labeled imaging anatomy cases by body region and modality.
Brain
CT head: non-contrast axial
CT head: non-contrast coronal
CT head: non-contrast sagittal
CT head: non-contrast axial with clinical questions
CT head: angiogram axial
CT head: angiogram coronal
...
Article
Sacroiliitis
Sacroiliitis (rare plural: sacroiliitides), is an inflammation of one or both sacroiliac (SI) joints, and a common cause of buttocks or lower back pain. Sacroiliitis can be a manifestation of a wide range of disease processes.
Clinical presentation
Symptoms of sacroiliitis can vary. People wit...
Article
Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome
Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome is uncommon, but usually presents with profound neurological signs and symptoms, and the prognosis is poor.
Epidemiology
Acute spinal cord ischemia syndrome represents only 5-8% of acute myelopathies 4,5 and <1% of all strokes 7. The demographic of affected...
Article
Modified Memphis criteria for blunt cerebrovascular injury
The modified Memphis criteria are a set of screening criteria for blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) in trauma. The presence of one or more of these criteria makes necessary a complementary CTA or DSA study to exclude a BCVI.
The screening protocol criteria for BCVI are:
base of skull fractur...
Article
Congenital anomalies of the posterior atlas arch
Congenital anomalies of the posterior arch of the atlas (C1) are relatively common anomalies. They may range from partial defects presenting as clefts to complete absence of the posterior arch (aplasia).
These anomalies are classified according to Currarino (see below). It should not be confuse...
Article
Spinal ependymoma
Spinal ependymomas are the most common spinal cord tumor overall, seen both in adult and pediatric populations.
This article specifically relates to spinal cord ependymomas. For a discussion of posterior fossa ependymomas and for a general discussion of the pathology refer to the main article:...
Article
Scalpel sign (spinal cord)
The scalpel sign is described in dorsal thoracic arachnoid web on sagittal MRI spine studies. It relates to focal distortion of the thoracic cord, appearing anteriorly displaced. The enlarged dorsal CSF space mimics the profile of a surgical scalpel.
It is helpful in distinguishing cases where ...
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