Incidental extraspinal findings in the lumbar spine during magnetic resonance imaging of intervertebral discs

Degenerative changes of intervertebral discs is a very complicated process as a result of interaction of many factors: genetic, environmental, physical activity. Abnormalities in the vertebrae structure create the preconditions for the overload of the vertebral motor segment, which contributes to the spread of degenerative lesions and increases the risk of spinal injuries. Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of back pain. The process of degeneration begins at a young age and in adulthood it often becomes widespread with a predominance of one or another localization. Methods of medical imaging occupy an important place in diagnosis of musculoskeletal pathologies. Radiography assesses the changes only in bone structures, but does not allow the visualization of soft tissues, which include not only the ligaments of the vertebral motor segment, but also the intervertebral discs. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most effective method for diagnosing degenerative changes in intervertebral discs. Possibilities of ultrasound examination in the diagnosis of early stage degenerative disc disease have not been studied enough. There were examined 147 patients aged 18−27 years with clinical and neurological signs of degenerative disease of cervical and lumbar spinal discs. Ultrasonic semiotics showed changes within the pulpal nucleus as an increased echogenicity and displacement back towards the fibrous ring, fibrous ring thinning, which indicated the disc protrusion. In patients with pain in neck and lower back, fragmentary imaging of the fibrous ring and prolapse of the disc contents into the lumen of spinal canal, indicating the development of hernias was found. The presence of herniated discs of cervical and lumbar spine in all cases coincided with the results of magnetic resonance imaging, and protrusion did in 91,4 % of cases. Thus, among medical imaging the ultrasonography is the most accessible and informative method for diagnosing degenerative changes in intervertebral discs of cervical and lumbar spine. Key words: degenerative disc disease, ultrasonography, cervical and lumbar intervertebral discs.

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Measurement of Three‐Dimensional Internal Dynamic Strains in the Intervertebral Disc of the Lumbar Spine With Mechanical Loading and Golden‐Angle Radial Sparse Parallel‐Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

10.1002/jmri.27591 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rajiv G. Menon ◽

Marcelo V.W. Zibetti ◽

Martin Pendola ◽

Ravinder R. Regatte

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Internal Dynamic ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Parallel Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Golden Angle ◽

Dynamic Strains ◽

Golden Angle Radial

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THU0492 MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE SACROILIAC JOINTS IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERMOBILITY: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.5686 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 482.4-483

Author(s):

A. Jones ◽

C. Ciurtin ◽

H. Kazkaz ◽

M. Hall-Craggs

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Back Pain ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Bone Marrow Oedema ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Sacroiliac Joints ◽

Fatty Change ◽

Subchondral Sclerosis

Background:The incidence of inflammatory and structural lesions on magnetic resonance imaging of sacroiliac joints (MRI SIJs) in patients with hypermobility related disorders has not been fully investigated. Hypermobile patients are more susceptible to pelvic instability and biomechanical stress of the SIJs, leading to MRI SIJ changes similar to those occurring in spondyloarthritis (SpA). Patients with hypermobility and suspected SpA pose a unique challenge owing to the high prevalence of back pain in the hypermobility cohort and the absence of spinal restriction on clinical examination.Objectives:In this study, we aim to investigate the incidence of MRI SIJ lesions in patients with hypermobility.Methods:We performed a retrospective study of all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of hypermobility related disorders (including hypermobility syndrome, hypermobility spectrum disorders and Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes) referred for an MRI lumbar spine and SIJ between 2011 and 2019 to investigate long-standing back pain. MRIs were examined by a musculoskeletal (MSK) radiologist with more than 25 years of experience, who was blinded to the clinical outcome of the patients. MRI SIJs were assessed for the presence of bone marrow oedema, subchondral sclerosis, erosion, fatty change, enthesitis, ankylosis, joint fluid and capsulitis.Results:51 patients with confirmed hypermobility related disorders were referred for MRI SIJ and lumbar spine between 2011 and 2019. 3 patients demonstrated clinical features in keeping with a diagnosis of SpA and were excluded from the study. 15/48 (31.3%) of patients with hypermobility and back pain (but no clinical picture of SpA) were found to have inflammatory and/or structural lesions on MRI SIJ. The most frequent lesions were small foci of bone marrow oedema (16.6%) followed by subchondral sclerosis (12.5%) and fatty change (10.4%). The incidence of erosions was 4.2%.Conclusion:There is a relatively high incidence of inflammatory and structural lesions on MRI SIJ of patients with hypermobility. The presence of hypermobility should be taken into consideration when interpreting MRI changes in patients with suspected SpA. Further research into long-term outcomes of MRI SIJs in patients with hypermobility and back pain is required to establish the clinical significance of these findings.Disclosure of Interests: :Alexis Jones: None declared, Coziana Ciurtin Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Roche, Modern Biosciences, Hanadi Kazkaz: None declared, Margaret Hall-Craggs: None declared

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Positive Predictive Values of Lumbar Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings for Provocative Discography

Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography ◽

10.1097/rct.0000000000000885 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 568-571

Author(s):

Lydia Chelala ◽

Graham Trent ◽

Greer Waldrop ◽

Azar P. Dagher ◽

James W. Reinig

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Lumbar Spine ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Imaging Findings ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Provocative Discography ◽

Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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Pyogenic and tuberculous discitis: magnetic resonance imaging findings for differential diagnosis

Radiologia Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-39842013000300012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 173-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Cristiano Gonzaga de Souza ◽

Emerson Leandro Gasparetto ◽

Edson Marchiori ◽

Paulo Roberto Valle Bahia

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Correct Diagnosis ◽

Cord Compression ◽

Intervertebral Discs ◽

University Hospital ◽

Imaging Findings ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Radiographic Findings ◽

Vertebral Bodies

Spondylodiscitis represents 2%–4% of all bone infections cases. The correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment can prevent complications such as vertebral collapse and spinal cord compression, avoiding surgical procedures. The diagnosis is based on characteristic clinical and radiographic findings and confirmed by blood culture and biopsy of the disc or the vertebra. The present study was developed with Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital patients with histopathologically and microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, submitted to magnetic resonance imaging of the affected regions. In most cases, pyogenic spondylodiscitis affects the lumbar spine. The following findings are suggestive of the diagnosis: segmental involvement; ill-defined abscesses; early intervertebral disc involvement; homogeneous vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs involvement. Tuberculous spondylodiscitis affects preferentially the thoracic spine. Most suggestive signs include: presence of well-defined and thin-walled abscess; multisegmental, subligamentous involvement; heterogeneous involvement of vertebral bodies; and relative sparing of intervertebral discs. The present pictorial essay is aimed at showing the main magnetic resonance imaging findings of pyogenic and tuberculous discitis.

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