Other Spine Diseases

More Than IVDD

There is more to spine pathology than just IVDD! On this page, there will be case examples of non-IVDD pathology in the spine, and a list of any useful sequences.

Discospondylitis

Discospondylitis is an infection of the vertebral endplates and intervertebral disc, most commonly of bacterial origin. Some notable features are:

Collapse of the IVD

STIR/T2 hyperintensity

Contrast enhancement

Paravertebral inflammation or fluid like collections

sclerotic changes to vertebrae

Useful sequences:

STIR

T1 with and without fat saturation

T1 post contrast with fat saturation

Arachnoid Diverticulum

Some notable features of arachnoid diverticulum:

Scalpel sign

Gliosis

Lesion demonstrates CSF signal characteristics

Useful Sequences:

3D Myelogram

3D FIESTA-C / CISS

Sag T2 FSE

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

FCE is like a 'stroke' in the spinal cord; a small piece of IVD embolizes into a small spinal artery and occludes blood flow leading to ischemia or infarction in the spinal cord.

Notable Features:

Sharply Demarcated

Grey matter affected

Can be linear

Possible hemorrhage

Swelling of the spinal cord

Possible gad enhancement

T2/STIR hyperintensity

Useful Sequences:

T2 or STIR

T1 Post Gad

T2* if hemorrhage

DWI if specialized sequences are available