Open AccessMR Imaging Assessment of the Spine: Infection or an Imitation?
Author(s) -
Sung Hwan Hong,
Ja Young Choi,
Joon Woo Lee,
Na Ra Kim,
Jung Ah Choi,
Heung Sik Kang
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
radiographics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.866
H-Index - 172
eISSN - 1527-1323
pISSN - 0271-5333
DOI - 10.1148/rg.292085137
Subject(s) - medicine , spondylitis , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , spinal cord , rachis , disease , pathology , ankylosing spondylitis , surgery , psychiatry
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool that can be used to help evaluate spinal infection and to help distinguish between an infection and other clinical conditions. In most cases of spinal infection, MR images show typical findings such as vertebral endplate destruction, bone marrow and disk signal abnormalities, and paravertebral or epidural abscesses. However, it is not always easy to diagnose a spinal infection, particularly when some of the classic MR imaging features are absent or when there are unusual patterns of infectious spondylitis. Furthermore, noninfectious inflammatory diseases and degenerative disease may simulate spinal infection. It is necessary to be familiar with atypical MR imaging findings of spinal infection and features that may mimic spinal infection to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.