CNS VI (Spine) Flashcards
investigation methods for spine
- Plain spine X-rays
- C.T.
- MRI
- Conventional and/or Computed Myelography
- Spinal Angiography using digital subtraction (DSA)
- Radio-isotope studies
- Ultrasound
There maybe shallow indentations on the upper and lower surfaces of the vertebral bodies, what is called and what is its significant
Schmorl’s nodes
no clinical significance
what is Radiographic signs of spinal abnormality
- Disc space narrowing
- Collapse of vertebral bodies
- Pedicle abnormalities
- Dense vertebrae
causes of disc space narrowing
- Degenerative disc disease
- disc space infection
causes of Collapsed vertebral bodies
- Neoplasm (metastases and myeloma)
- Osteoporosis
- Trauma
- Infection
- Eosinophilic granuloma
tumor trauma ♬ , infection granuloma ♬
Pedicle abnormalities are assessed by wich view?
frontal
Destruction or sclerosis of one or more of the pedicles is a sign of ____
spinal metastases
causes of Dense vertebrae
- Metastases
- Lymphoma
- Paget’s disease
- Haemangioma
- Healing fracture
cervical spine injury is best identified by which view?
AP, lat, open mouth (peg view)
What should you look for
- Alignment of the vertebral bodies and facet joints.
- Fractures of the vertebral bodies, pedicles, laminae and spinous processes.
- Indirect signs of fracture such as prevertebral soft tissue swelling.
types of cervical vertebral fracture (two special names)
- Jefferson’s fracture (C1)
- Hangman’s fracture (C2)
- Teardrop fracture (occur in the neck, piece of bone looks like teardrop)
What are other terms used to describe disc protrusions?
- Migrated
- Sequestered
What are the possible sites of disc protrusions?
- Central
- Paracentral
- Subarticular
- Foraminal
- Far lateral
What structures can disc protrusions compress?
- Thecal sac
- Spinal cord
- Nerve root
what is the meaning of Spondylolisthesis
Spinal bone displacement:
The vertebra slips forward onto the vertebra below it.
Most frequently at L5/S1
most common site of Spondylolisthesis (which vertebrae)
L5 / S1
causes of Spondylolisthesis
congenital or trumatic
descripe the infection of vertebra
- early narrowing of disc space + endplate erosion
- lately collapsed oif vertebral body
- end by sclerosis
Ankylosing spondylitis can cause vertebral fusion this sign is called:
bamboo spine
congenital abnormalitis of spine
- spina bifida occulta (25% of population)
- meningocele
- meningomyelocele
causes of Spinal cord and cauda equine compression
- Extradural lesions
- Intradural extramedullary lesions
- Intradural intramedullary lesions
causes of Extradural lesions
- myeloma, lymphoma and metastases
- Infection
- degenerative disc protusions
causes of Intradural extramedullary lesions
- meningioma
- nerve sheath tumours such as neurofibromas or schwannomas.
causes of Intradural intramedullary lesions
primary spinal cord tumour such as ependymoma, astrocytoma, or metastases
what is the mening of Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a condition where a CSF-contained cavity forms within the middle of the cord due to local damage or mass.
Ex of inflammatory spondylarthropathy:
Ankylosing spondylitis
Psoriatic arthropathy
Reiter’s syndrome
The earliest radiographic change in case of spondylarthropathy
Fuzziness of the joint margins, followed by erosions which often start on the illiac side of the joint
