Category Neurological Imaging

Pyogenic Osteomyelitis

KEY FACTS Terminology Definition: Bacterial suppurative infection of vertebrae and intervertebral disc Synonyms: Pyogenic spondylodiscitis, disc space infection Imaging Ill-defined hypointense T1 vertebral marrow with loss of endplate definition on both sides of disc Loss of disc height and abnormal…

Pathways of Spread

Anatomy-Based Imaging Issues Spread of infection may occur along one of many different tracts, including direct extension , lymphatic spread , hematogenous spread , and along the cerebrospinal fluid pathways . Direct extension , as its name implies, occurs when…

Ankylosing Spondylitis

KEY FACTS Imaging Location Discs and synovial joints of spine Joints of axial skeleton, less commonly peripheral joints Tendon and ligament attachments (entheses) Sacroiliac joints: Bilaterally symmetric erosive arthropathy → fusion Facet, uncovertebral joints: Erosions → fusion Squaring of vertebral…

Hemodialysis Spondyloarthropathy

KEY FACTS Terminology Destructive spondyloarthropathy Discocentric destructive arthritis in patient on long-term hemodialysis Imaging Vertebral and endplate destruction in patient on long-term hemodialysis, ± vertebral collapse Cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine Often involves multiple levels Endplate destruction with sharply marginated erosions…