Spinal imaging Flashcards
The optimal imaging plane for evaluation of the degree of curvature due to scoliosis would be:
corona;
The ideal scan plane in spine imaging for evaluation of the degree of posterior disc herniation as well as intervertebral disc height would be:
sagittal
During a post surgical MRI of the lumbar spine, the evaluation of post operative surgical regions and/or the possibility of scar tissue can be best accomplished by:
Sagittal slice plane; T1 weighted post gadolinium
The ligamentum flavum can be found in which part of the body?
Spine
On T1 weighted images of the spine, the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) appears:
Hypointense to the spinal cord
The cauda equina and the conus medullaris are best seen with a:
Sagittal image of the lumbar spine
On T2 weighted images of the spine, the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) appears
Hyperintense to the spinal cord
: For patients that have undergone surgery for herniated disc in the lumbar spine, gadolinium contrast enhancement can be utilized to distinguish recurrent disc from post-operative scar tissue because:
Disc enhances more slowly than post-operative scar
On an image of the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane, utilizing a 28cm FOV, the vertebral disc levels can be determined by:
Using a large FOV localizer and optional vit E markers to count down from C2
The __________ is the soft, jelly-like, inner portion of the intervertebral disc.
Nucleus pulposus
Which imaging plane would best display both the dorsal and ventral nerve roots?
axial
The vertebral body will display a _________ signal intensity on T1 weighted images in the presence of fracture, infection or neoplasm
Hypointense
: A condition called ___________ is a condition in which the spinal cord is pulled lower than its natural position and is generally found in children or patients with Chiari Malformation
tethered cord
The individual nerve roots that leave the lower portion of the spinal cord and progress downward are termed the __________ or “horse’s tail.”
cuada equina
The _____________ is the inferior portion of the spinal cord and is found at the ________ disc level.
Conus medullaris; T12-L1
The ______ scan plane best demonstrates the degree of spinal stenosis
Sagittal
: If a patient has metal hardware from previous spinal surgery, the ___________ sequence should be avoided due to prominence of susceptibility artifacts.
Gradient echo
The __________ is the spinal region that is LEAST affected by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation.
Lumbar
: For optimal cervical spine patient positioning, optimal patient orientation should be ____________ and the coil should be positioned __________ between the levels C1-C7.
Supine; posterior to patient
When performing lumbar spine images through the intervertebral disc spaces, slices oriented in the _______ plane would be selected.
Oblique
An imaging option used to compensate for CSF flow in the Cervical spine would be:
Gradient moment nulling
: Image 17 was acquired in the _______ imaging plane.
Sagittal
: Image 19 is an example of a:

Axial cervical spine
Image 53 is an example of:

T2 Sag thoracic spine
An indication for injecting a patient with Gadolinium contrast for an MRI of the lumbar spine would be:
Prior surgery