- Double Inversion Recovery Sequence of the Cervical Spinal Cord in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Inflammatory Diseases
Double inversion recovery was used to study 30 patients with suspected or established MS and images were blindly evaluated by 2 neuroradiologists. DIR detected 28% more lesions than T2-weighted images with higher contrast-to-noise ratios leading to increased rating in lesion visibility. The authors concluded that the DIR sequence allowed better detection of lesions in MS and related inflammatory diseases of the cervical spinal cord compared with conventional T2WI.
- Safety and Effectiveness of Sacroplasty: A Large Single-Center Experience
The safety and effectiveness of minimally invasive sacroplasty was assessed in 53 patients treated for cancer-related, osteoporotic insufficiency and traumatic fractures. The procedure was judged to be safe and resulted in significant short-term gains in pain relief, increased mobility, and decreased dependence on pain medication.
- Cement Salvage of Instrumentation-Associated Vertebral Fractures
The authors describe the treatment of 22 vertebral compression fractures in 11 patients with metastases and prior spinal instrumentation. Pain improved in all patients, only 1 patient needed additional surgery, and there were no vertebral cement augmentation–related complications.
- Distinguishing Imaging Features between Spinal Hyperplastic Hematopoietic Bone Marrow and Bone Metastasis
MR, FDG-PET, and CT images from 8 patients with proven spinal findings of hyperplastic hematopoietic bone marrow were compared with those of 24 patients with spinal metastases. If a lesion was isointense to hyperintense to normal-appearing marrow on MR imaging or had a maximum standard uptake value of >3.6, the lesion was metastatic. A normal appearance on CT or bone scintigraphy excluded metastasis.
- MR Myelography for Identification of Spinal CSF Leak in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension
Twenty-four patients with intracranial hypotension received CT myelography as well asintrathecal gadolinium MR myelography. Comparisons demonstrated a higher rate of leak detection with intrathecal gadolinium MR myelography. Although intrathecal gadolinium is an FDA off-label use, all patients tolerated the medication without evidence of complications.
- Reliability of the STIR Sequence for Acute Type II Odontoid Fractures
Because STIR images are routinely used for evaluation of the posttraumatic cervical spine, these authors specifically looked at the ability of this sequence to differentiate acute vs. chronic odontoid type II fractures in 75 patients and compared the imaging findings with an equal number of age-matched controls. STIR fared poorly in the detection of fractures in individuals over 57 years of age. Therefore, older patients, particularly those with osteopenia, may have acute odontoid injuries without corresponding STIR hyperintensity.
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