ISSN:
1432-1084
Keywords:
Spine infection
;
Spine MRI studies
;
Spine neoplasms
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract MRI images of 135 patients with spine infection and 81 patients with spine neoplasm were retrospectively analysed in order to identify criteria that will help in distinguishing infection from neoplasm and in differentiating the forms of spine infection. Disc involvement occurred in 93% of infections and only 1% of neoplasms. Features of tuberculous spondylitis included paraspinal soft tissue abscesses (95%), vertebral collapse (91%), pathognomonic intraosseous abscess seen on Gd-enhanced images (84%), epidural extension (68%), gibbus (26%), skip lesions (16%) and posterior element involvement (11%). Pyogenic and brucellar infections had comparable features, i. e. predilection for the lower lumbar spine, preservation of vertebral morphology, minimal granulation tissue production and epidural extension. Primary neoplasms affected solitary vertebrate while secondary neoplasms demonstrated skip lesions and frequent extraosseous soft tissue masses. Posterior elements were frequently affected in both. MRI is a useful method for distinguishing infection from neoplasm in the spine and for differentiating tuberculous spondylitis from other infections in the majority of cases.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00221421
Permalink
