scholarly journals Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Spinal Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-87
Author(s):  
Vulchi Ranjith Kumar ◽  
Rama Krishna Rao Baru

Background: The advantage of Magnetic resonance imaging include multiplanar capabilities and soft-tissue contrast resolution, which is superior to that of CT. 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. Aim of the current study is to evaluate various spectrum and types of spinal infections, and discussing the role of MRI in diagnosing them and their characterization. Subjects & Methods: This Hospital-based prospective study consists 30 patients with clinically suspected spinal infections and chronic non-resolving low backache referred to the department of Radiodiagnosis in a period of 2 years. Investigations include Complete blood count, ESR, sputum analysis for acid-fast bacilli and MRI of the spine. Results: 20 cases involved the lumbar spine, of which 12 were tubercular, seven were pyogenic, and one case was actinomycosis. In total 21 tubercular cases, 12 cases involved lumbar spine (57%), 8 cases affects the thoracic spine (38%), and 1 case involves the cervical spine (P = 0.562). the incidence of spondylodiscitis is common overall in the lumbar spine. 23.8% of tubercular and 12.5 %of pyogenic cases involved more than two vertebrae. T1 hypointensity is seen in 18 cases of tuberculosis (85%), 8 cases of pyogenic (75%), and 1 case of actinomycosis (100%) (P = 0.801). 4 cases showed preservation of disc height, among which three are tubercular (75%), and 1 was actinomycosis (25%). 85 % of tubercular and 100% of pyogenic cases showed disc narrowing. 81 % of tubercular and 100 % of pyogenic cases showed disc hyperintensity. Nine cases of tuberculosis (42.9%) and 3 cases of pyogenic (37.5 %) showed epidural abscess. 26 cases showed para vertebral extension of which 18 were tubercular (69.2 %), 7 were pyogenic (26.9 %) and 1 was actinomycosis (3.8 %). 94% of tubercular and 42 % of pyogenic abscesses showed a well-defined para spinal signal in cases of paraspinal extension. 15 of the 18(83%) tuberculosis, 3 of the 7 (42%)cases of pyogenic, and 1 case of actinomycosis showed subligamentous spread along more than three vertebrae. Heterogenous enhancement was noted in 12 of the 15 (80%) tubercular cases, 1 of the 3 (33%) pyogenic cases, and 1(100%) actinomycosis case. 71% tubercular cases and 2 of 8 (25%) cases showed predominant anterior 2/3rd involvement. Grade III or more (>50%) vertebral destruction was seen in 16 tubercular (76%) and 2 pyogenic cases (25%). Six cases showed skip lesions of which 5were tubercular and 1 was pyogenic. 5 of the 21 (23.8%) tubercular and 1 of the 8 (12.5%) pyogenic cases showed skip lesions. Conclusion: Awareness of atypical MR imaging at early infectious spondylitis is important to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary other diagnostic procedures. Several non-infectious conditions may simulate the spinal infections. Hence It is helpful to be aware of these diseases and their MR imaging features. With these points in mind, MR imaging can be very beneficial to patients with spinal infection. 

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davina Mak ◽  
Alessandro Vidoni ◽  
Steven James ◽  
Munchi Choksey ◽  
David Beale ◽  
...  

Spinal synovial cysts are relatively uncommon and are most frequently found in the lumbar spine and rarely in the cervical spine. Intraspinal extradural cervical synovial cysts can occur and potentially cause cord/nerve root compression with symptoms of myelopathy/radiculopathy; however, most are asymptomatic and incidental findings. We conducted a literature review and present, to our knowledge, the largest imaging case series and describe the magnetic resonance imaging features of cervical synovial cysts.


2007 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 921-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Elsayes ◽  
V. R. Narra ◽  
J. R. Dillman ◽  
V. Velcheti ◽  
O. Hameed ◽  
...  

The detection of vaginal lesions has increased with the expanding use of cross-sectional imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—with its high-contrast resolution and multiplanar capabilities—is often useful for characterizing vaginal masses. Vaginal masses can be classified as congenital, inflammatory, cystic (benign), and neoplastic (benign or malignant) in etiology. Recognition of the typical MR imaging features of such lesions is important because it often determines the treatment approach and may obviate surgery. Finally, vaginal MR imaging can be used to evaluate post-treatment changes related to previous surgery and radiation therapy. In this article, we will review pertinent vaginal anatomy, vaginal and pelvic MRI technique, and the MRI features of a variety of vaginal lesions with pathological correlation.


1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Chung ◽  
Joseph S. Yu ◽  
William Becker

We present a case of Paget disease of the calcaneus with an emphasis on its magnetic resonance imaging features.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melania Costantini ◽  
Paolo Belli ◽  
Daniela Distefano ◽  
Enida Bufi ◽  
Marialuisa Di Matteo ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4586
Author(s):  
Marta Orts-Arroyo ◽  
Amadeo Ten-Esteve ◽  
Sonia Ginés-Cárdenas ◽  
Isabel Castro ◽  
Luis Martí-Bonmatí ◽  
...  

The paramagnetic gadolinium(III) ion is used as contrast agent in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to improve the lesion detection and characterization. It generates a signal by changing the relaxivity of protons from associated water molecules and creates a clearer physical distinction between the molecule and the surrounding tissues. New gadolinium-based contrast agents displaying larger relaxivity values and specifically targeted might provide higher resolution and better functional images. We have synthesized the gadolinium(III) complex of formula [Gd(thy)2(H2O)6](ClO4)3·2H2O (1) [thy = 5-methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione or thymine], which is the first reported compound based on gadolinium and thymine nucleobase. 1 has been characterized through UV-vis, IR, SEM-EDAX, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, and its magnetic and relaxometric properties have been investigated by means of SQUID magnetometer and MR imaging phantom studies, respectively. On the basis of its high relaxivity values, this gadolinium(III) complex can be considered a suitable candidate for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 482.4-483
Author(s):  
A. Jones ◽  
C. Ciurtin ◽  
H. Kazkaz ◽  
M. Hall-Craggs

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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