KEY FACTS Terminology Anterolisthesis: Anterior displacement of vertebral body relative to 1 below Retrolisthesis: Posterior displacement of vertebral body relative to 1 below Imaging Lateral flexion and extension to evaluate for instability Napoleon's-hat sign on AP plain film Instability uncommon…
KEY FACTS Terminology Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) Imaging Flowing multilevel ossification posterior to vertebral bodies Relatively minimal degenerative disc disease, absent facet ankylosis Midcervical (C3-C5) > midthoracic (T4-T7) PLL ossification narrows AP spinal canal dimension → spinal stenosis,…
KEY FACTS Terminology Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) Forestier disease, senile ankylosing hyperostosis, asymmetrical skeletal hyperostosis Imaging Flowing anterior vertebral ossification with minimal degenerative disc disease, facet arthropathy, absent facet ankylosis Thoracic spine (100%) > cervical (65-80%), lumbar spine (68-90%);…
KEY FACTS Terminology Spinal canal and neural foraminal narrowing in cervical spine secondary to multifactorial degenerative changes Imaging Completely effaced cerebral spinal fluid in cervical spine at disc levels Cervical spine, ventral epidural, centered at disc levels Sagittal diameter of…
KEY FACTS Terminology Reduced AP canal diameter secondary to short, squat pedicles and laterally directed laminae Imaging Central canal diameter is smaller than normal Cervical spine: Absolute AP diameter < 14 mm Spinal stenosis present if AP canal diameter at…
KEY FACTS Terminology Spinal canal narrowing in lumbar spine Secondary to multifactorial degenerative changes, being progressive and dynamic process Imaging Trefoil appearance of lumbar spinal canal on axial imaging Sagittal diameter of bony lumbar canal < 10 mm Top Differential…
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…