25.6 Anat: Imaging of the spine

Question 1

Which spinal nerve would lateral protrusion at disc L4-5 affect?

Answer 1

L5 spinal nerve (nerve exiting below disc)

Question 2

Disc protrusion: L5-S`, which spinal nerve?

Answer 2

S1 not L5

Question 3

Why do we use MRI on the spine?

Answer 3

Can differentiate fluid/structure better in the disc than on CT

Question 4

2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of MRI for spine

Answer 4

Adv: better contrast resolution, lack of radiation

Dis: accessibility (MRI less common) and cost

Question 5

What type of ray does bone scintigraphy utilise?

Answer 5

Gamma rays (technetium injected)

Question 6

What is often fractured with a forward slip of L4 on L5?

Answer 6

Pars articularis