KEY FACTS Terminology Juvenile kyphosis, Scheuermann kyphosis Kyphosis secondary to multiple Schmorl nodes → vertebral body wedging Imaging Wedged-shaped thoracic vertebrae with irregular endplates ≥ 3 contiguous vertebrae, each showing ≥ 5° of kyphosis Undulation of endplates secondary to extensive…
KEY FACTS Terminology Definition: Node within vertebral body due to vertical disc extension (intravertebral disc herniation) through vertebral endplate Any level, although thoracic, thoracolumbar > cervical Imaging Focal invagination of endplate by disc material surrounded by sclerotic (old) or edematous…
KEY FACTS Terminology Facet arthrosis, degenerative facet disease, degenerative joint disease, facet hypertrophy Osteoarthritis of synovially lined lumbar apophyseal joints Imaging Osseous overgrowth impinging on foramina in conjunction with articular joint space narrowing Mushroom cap facet appearance Joint space narrowing…
KEY FACTS Terminology Facet arthrosis, degenerative facet disease, degenerative joint disease Imaging Osseous facet overgrowth impinging on neural foramina in conjunction with articular joint space narrowing Facet joint osteophytes producing foraminal narrowing Mushroom-cap facet appearance Joint space narrowing with sclerosis…
KEY FACTS Terminology Extruded disc material within neural foramen Far lateral is disc material lateral to neural foramen Imaging Obliterated perineural fat in neural foramen on sagittal images Soft tissue mass contiguous with parent disc T1WI isointense to parent disc…
KEY FACTS Terminology Localized (< 25% of disc circumference) displacement of disc material beyond confines of disc space Protrusion Herniated disc with broad base at parent disc Extrusion Herniated disc with narrow or no base at parent disc Sequestered: Free…
KEY FACTS Imaging Small mass in spinal canal contiguous with intervertebral disc Ventral epidural Rare in upper thoracic spine (T1-T3) May enhance peripherally after intravenous contrast material due to granulation tissue or dilated epidural plexus Peripheral enhancement may give “lifted…
KEY FACTS Terminology Protruded disc, extruded disc, free fragment, sequestered disc Localized (< 50% of disc circumference) displacement of disc material beyond edges of vertebral ring apophyses Imaging Small mass in ventral spinal canal, contiguous with intervertebral disc Protrusion is…
KEY FACTS Terminology Anular bulge Generalized extension of disc beyond edges of vertebral ring apophyses Imaging Circumferential disc “expansion” beyond confines of vertebral endplates Short radius of extension: ≤ 3 mm > 25% of disc circumference If morphologic abnormality is…
KEY FACTS Terminology Generalized and multifactorial process affecting discovertebral unit leading to biomechanical/morphologic alterations Imaging Loss of disc space height, vacuum phenomenon seen as low signal within disc Degenerative endplate changes I → III Type I: Replacement with fibrovascular marrow…