User Ratings

Easy to Follow Achieved Expected Results Overall Rating Add your comments

Spinal Inflammation

J. Randy Jinkins¹, David D. Stark¹

¹Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, New York

Publication Name:

Current Protocols in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Unit Number:

Unit A8.4

DOI:

10.1002/0471142719.mia0804s01

Online Posting Date:

August, 2001

GO TO THE FULL TEXT:

PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Are you the author of this protocol? Login or register and return to this page.

Abstract

This unit presents a basic protocol for conventional and fast spin echo imaging of spine for evaluation of infections involving the CNS. The epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the frequency of CNS infections has been on the rise. An alternate protocol is presented for coronal acquisition that may be helpful to analyze the perispinal tissues for abscess formation.

GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:

PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Unit Introduction
Basic Protocol: Conventional and Fast Spin Echo
Alternate Protocol: Coronal Conventional Spin Echo-Enhanced
Commentary
Literature Cited
Figures
Tables

GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:

PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Materials

Basic Protocol: Conventional and Fast Spin Echo

Materials

Normal saline (0.9% NaCl), sterile
Gadolinium-based MR contrast agent (e.g., Magnevist, Omniscan, or Prohance)

Looking for materials? Suppliers Guide

GO TO THE FULL PROTOCOL:

PDF or HTML at Wiley Online Library

Figures

Figure A8.4.1

Thoracic spondylodiscitis (Staphylococcus aureus). (A) Sagittal T₁-weighted (T_R = 500 msec, T_E = 10 msec) image shows poor definition of the intervertebral disc at T5-T6 and an anterior and epidural spinal mass. Also the vertebral body marrow of T5 and T6 is hypointense. (B) Sagittal T₂-weighted (T_R = 4000 msec, T_E = 100 msec) MR shows abnormal hyperintensity in the marrow of T5 and T6 with early segmental collapse of the spinal column. Anterior epidural and prevertebral mass for motion (arrows) is also noted. (C) Intravenous gadolinium enhanced T₁-weighted (T_R = 500 msec, T_E = 10 msec) image shows abnormal enhancement of the T5 and T6 vertebral body marrow, as well as the enhancing prespinal and anterior epidural inflammatory spinal mass (arrows).

View Image

Literature Cited

Literature Cited
	Chang, K.H., Han, M.H., Choi, Y.W, et al. 1989. Tuberculous arachnoiditis of the spine: Findings on myelography, CT, and MR imaging. Am. J. Neuroradiol. 10:1255-1262.
	Jinkins, J.R., Gupta, R., Chang, K.H., and Rodriguez-Carbajal, J. 1995. MR imaging of central nervous system tuberculosis. Radiol. Clin. North Am. 33:771-786.
	Modic, M.T., Feiglin, D.H., Piraino, D.W., et al. 1985. Vertebral osteomyelitis: Assessment using MR. Radiology 157:157-166.
	Post, M.J.D., Sheldon, J.J., Hensley, G.T., et al. 1986. Central nervous system disease in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: Prospective correlation using CT, MR imaging, and pathologic studies. Radiology 158:141-148.
	Post, M.J.D., Sze, G., Quencer, R.M., et al. 1990. Gadolinium enhanced MR in spinal infection. J. Comput. Assist. Tomogr. 15:721-729.
	Provenzale, J.M. and Jinkins, J.R. 1997. Brain and spine imaging findings in AIDS patients. Radiol. Clin. North Am. 35:1127-1166.
	Reddy, S., Leite, C.C., and Jinkins, J.R. 1995. Imaging of infectious disease of the spine. In Spine: State of the Art Reviews,Vol. 9 (R.R. Lee, ed.) pp. 119-140. Hanley & Belfus, Philadelphia.
	Sharif, H.S., Clark, D.C., Aabed, M.Y., et al. 1990. Granulomatous spinal infections: MR imaging. Radiology 177:101-107.
	Shellock, F.G. 1996. Pocket Guide to MR Procedures and Metallic Objects. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia.
	Sklar, E.M., Post, M.J.D., and Lebwohl, N.H. 1993. Imaging of infection of the lumbosacral spine. Neuroimag. Clin. North Am. 3:577-590.
	Thurnher, M.M., Jinkins, J.R., and Post, M.J.D. 1997. Diagnostic imaging of infections and neoplasms affecting the spine in patients with AIDS. Neuroimag. Clin. North Am. 7:341-357.