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…
Disc Degeneration Overview . Describing morphology alterations seen in degenerative disc disease requires common terminology to standardize communication. A series of pathoanatomic terms and definitions proposed by an interdisciplinary committee and endorsed by multiple societies is summarized here. These general…
KEY FACTS Terminology Hemorrhage into spinal subarachnoid space from variety of etiologies Trauma (> 50%) Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with spinal extension Spinal arteriovenous malformations – Mainly types II, III, IVc, conus malformations Tumor Anticoagulant therapy Infection (pneumococcal meningitis, herpes)…
KEY FACTS Terminology Accumulation of blood between dura, arachnoid Imaging Intradural collection hyperintense on T1WI, predominantly hypointense on T2WI or gradient-echo imaging Thoracolumbar > lumbar or lumbosacral > cervical Clumped, loculated masses of hemorrhagic density/intensity Top Differential Diagnoses Epidural hematoma…
KEY FACTS Terminology Hemorrhage build-up between dura and spine not caused by significant trauma or iatrogenic procedures Imaging Extradural multisegmental T1 hyperintense fluid collection Thoracic, lumbar > cervical Lentiform or biconvex Outlined by dorsal epidural fat cranially and rostrally T1WI…