1 What are some factors which influence complication rates associated with spinal procedures? Type of procedure Whether elective or emergency Chronologic age of the patient General health status of the patient and medical comorbidities Institution where surgery is performed 2…
1 What are some critical factors that determine the outcome of a spinal procedure? Critical factors that determine whether a spinal procedure is a success or failure include: Surgical indications Surgical procedure (type and invasiveness) Surgical technique Timing of surgery…
1 What is a spinal orthosis? A spinal orthosis is a device that provides support or restricts motion of the spine. Spinal orthoses may also be prescribed to treat spinal deformities such as scoliosis. All orthoses are force systems that…
General considerations 1 What specialists perform diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections? A diverse community of physicians from many specialties perform spinal injections including anesthesiologists, physiatrists, interventional radiologists, neurologists, and spine surgeons. 2 What is the preferred setting for performing spinal…
Thoracic spine 1 What etiologies are included in the differential diagnosis of patients who present for initial assessment and management of symptoms attributed to the thoracic spine in an outpatient setting? Diagnosis of patients referred for evaluation of thoracic spine…
1 What etiologies are included in the differential diagnosis of patients who present for initial assessment and management of symptoms attributed to the cervical spine in an outpatient setting? The most common cervical diagnoses in patients who present for initial…
1 What nuclear medicine studies play a role in the evaluation of spinal pathology? The technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) bone scan has demonstrated utility in the evaluation of osseous lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy-2D-glucose (FDG) has shown…
1 What is computed tomography? Computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive imaging technology that generates detailed cross-sectional images using a computer and rotating x-ray emitter. The CT scanner is a circular, rotating frame with an x-ray emitter mounted on one…
1 What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive imaging technology that uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency (RF) current to generate three-dimensional anatomical images without the use of ionizing radiation. The components of an MRI…
General 1 What features distinguish screen-film radiography (SFR) versus computed radiography (CR) versus digital radiography (DR)? Screen-film radiography (SFR), also known as conventional or film-based radiography, utilizes a light-sensitive silver halide–coated film placed within a cassette containing two intensifying screens,…