Spinal Radiology Flashcards
What are the indications for spinal XR?
Trauma Bones + joints Surgical Planning Post op Alignment Inflammatory Cancer
What are the contraindications for spinal XR?
Chronic LBP
Cauda equina
Spinal cord pathology
What runs through the transverse foramen?
Vertebral artery + spinal cord
What is swimmers view and when is it used?
1 arm up and down
Reduces XR absorption by shoulder girdle + allows visualisation of lower cervical spine
Where do nerves enter each disc and what is the exception?
Normally from below EXCEPT C6
What 4 lines are used to assess alignment?
- Prevertebral
- Posterior vertebral
- Spinal lamella
- Posterior spinal
What is the atlas dens interval?
- Distance between anterior arch of C1 + dens/peg
- 3mm ( <5 in children)
- Any increase = instability
What is the peg view?
- Open mouth view (as mandible gets in way of normal AP view)
- Dens/odontoid peg
Which spine has no transverse foramen?
Thoracic
What are the key features of ankylosing spondylitis?
Bamboo spine
Chalk stick fracture
What are the contraindications for spinal CT?
- Contrast allergy
- Pregnancy
What is an MRI useful for?
Looking at spinal cord, nerves, ligaments + soft tissue
What are the contraindications for MRI?
Ferrous metallic objects Patient size Claustrophobia Pregnancy Contrast allergy or renal failure
How is a bone scan done and when is it used?
- Patient injected with radioactive tracer which articulates in body + sticks to bone
- More tracer accumulates in bone - more metabolically active (taken up by osteoclasts)
When is a myelogram used?
- Contrast injected into subarachnoid space under XR guidance
- In conjunction with CT in patients who cannot have MRI
