| Popis: |
Full-length spine CT and MRI play a significant role in diagnosis and management of spinal trauma and disease. Full-length spine CT helps diagnose unforeseen injuries to the spine that may be missed due to concomitant or patient conditions in high-energy and multiple trauma patients. In the patient with complex or severe deformity, full-length spine CT facilitates analysis of the deformed anatomy and establishes a preoperative plan. Neurological structures and intraspinal anomalies can be visualized by full-length MRI, thereby preventing neurological complications after deformity surgery. In multifocal spinal infections, the entire spine should be evaluated through MRI to evaluate the extension of infection and plan for treatment. Spondyloarthropathy can be detected early in its disease course with the help of full-length spine MR imaging, including SI joints. Metastasis to the spine is probably the most common indication for full-length imaging as it allows evaluation of bone marrow change through whole spine MRI, especially in the setting of metastasis from prostate cancer and multiple myeloma. Due to the development of technology, taking time for CT and MRI of entire spine is becoming a more efficient process and the resolution is increasing. Specifically, in the case of CT, the radiation exposure is gradually reducing. These changes will expand the indications for examining full-length spine imaging and help diagnose, treat, and follow up with patients presenting with spine trauma and disease. |
