Imaging the Spine

Question 1

what MSK features do x rays show?

Answer 1

bone outlines only

Question 2

what MSK features do CTs show?

Answer 2

bone outlines in detail

some soft tissue structures eg lumbar discs

Question 3

what MSK features do MRIs show?

Answer 3

bone outlines
bone marrow
discs
ligaments
spinal cord
nerves
(all soft tissue structures)

Question 4

are lumbar or cervical vertebrae bigger?

Answer 4

lumbar

Question 5

what is in the posterior arch of vertebrae?

Answer 5

2 pedicles
2 laminae
1 spinous process
2 transverse processes

Question 6

where does the neural foramen lie?

Answer 6

inferior to the pedicle

Question 7

what does the neural foramen contain?

Answer 7

spinal nerves

Question 8

how are facet joints formed?

Answer 8

articular processes project superiorly and inferiorly between the pedicles and laminae

Question 9

should consecutive vertebrae be the same size?

Answer 9

yes

Question 10

what structures cross over the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 10

ribs

Question 11

which vertebra has no vertebral body?

Answer 11

C1

Question 12

what do the anterior and posterior arches of C1 articulate with?

Answer 12

occipital bone

C2

Question 13

which vertebra contains the odontoid process?

Answer 13

C2

Question 14

what does the odontoid process form and how does it do this?

Answer 14

forms a joint with C1’s anterior arch by projecting superiorly into it

Question 15

when would you do CT straight away in a suspected fracture patient?

Answer 15

if it was a high energy injury eg car crash and involves a head injury

Question 16

when would you do a CT after an x ray?

Answer 16

need more detail
looking for more fractures
x ray normal but suspect a fracture

Question 17

what is considered to be the “sleeve” of the polo mints when the polo mints are the spine?

Answer 17

spinal ligament

Question 18

what imaging should you use to see intervertebral ligaments?

Answer 18

MRI

Question 19

how can you tell on a CT/X ray if the ligaments are ok?

Answer 19

there is normal vertebral alignment

Question 20

what soft tissue problems can be seen on MRI?

Answer 20

slipped disc
epidural haematoma
spinal cord damage

Question 21

features of a tumour on x ray

Answer 21

bone destructiom
vertebral collapse
bone sclerosis

Question 22

early MRI features of a bone tumour

Answer 22

bone marrow infiltration

Question 23

late MRI features of a bone tumour

Answer 23

extradural mass and spinal cord compression

Question 24

can you see intervertebral discs on x ray?

Answer 24

no

Question 25

imaging to see the spinal cord?

Answer 25

MRI

Question 26

causes of spinal cord disease?

Answer 26

trauma
demyelination
tumour
ischaemia