Imaging of the spine

Question 1

Why is C1 vertebra atypical?

Answer 1

It has no vertebral body, anterior and posterior arches, paired lateral masses and paired transverse processes

Question 2

What passes through the vertebral foramen?

Answer 2

Spinal cord and meninges, spinal roots and blood vessels

Question 3

What passes through the transverse foramen?

Answer 3

Vertebral artery and vein, sympathetic nerve plexus

Question 4

ABCs of spinal column bones

Answer 4

Alignment
Bone
Cartilage
Soft tissue

Question 5

Disc prolapse

Answer 5

Disc is worn or injured, allowing the soft material out

Question 6

Myelography

Answer 6

• Contrast injected into sub-dural space
• Useful if contraindicated to MRI
• Commonly doubled with CT

Question 7

Chance fracture

Answer 7

top half of body is jolted forward and bottom half is fixed

Question 8

Cauda equina syndrome

Answer 8

compression of nerve roots below level of spinal cord - degenerative diseases and disc prolapses

Question 9

Red flags back pain

Answer 9

bilateral lower limb pain, altered perineal sensation, change in bladder habit