Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2023
ReviewManagement Algorithm for Osseous Metastatic Disease: What the Treatment Teams Want to Know.
Radiologists play a primary role in identifying, characterizing, and classifying spinal metastases and can play a lifesaving role in the care of these patients by triaging those with instability to urgent spine surgery consultation. For this reason, an understanding of current treatment algorithms and principles of spinal stability in patients with cancer is vital for all who interpret spine studies. In addition, advances in imaging allow radiologists to provide more accurate diagnoses and characterize pathology, thereby improving patient safety.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2023
ReviewThe Role of 3D Printing in Treatment Planning of Spine and Sacral Tumors.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has proven to have many advantages in spine and sacrum surgery. 3D printing allows the manufacturing of life-size patient-specific anatomic and pathologic models to improve preoperative understanding of patient anatomy and pathology. Additionally, virtual surgical planning using medical computer-aided design software has enabled surgeons to create patient-specific surgical plans and simulate procedures in a virtual environment. This has resulted in reduced operative times, decreased complications, and improved patient outcomes. Combined with new surgical techniques, 3D-printed custom medical devices and instruments using titanium and biocompatible resins and polyamides have allowed innovative reconstructions.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Aug 2023
ReviewConventional and Advanced Imaging of Spinal Cord Tumors.
Spinal cord tumors are best identified by conventional MR imaging with contrast. Most intramedullary spinal cord tumors have characteristic MR imaging features that allow an accurate preoperative diagnosis. ⋯ Rare tumors such as primary CNS lymphoma and melanocytic tumors are also described. Advanced imaging techqniques of more common intramedullary tumors are also reviewed.
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Percutaneous image-guided minimally invasive thermal ablation and vertebral augmentation are robust techniques, part of the available armamentarium used by radiologists for the management of patients with spinal metastases. Such interventions have been established to be safe and effective in treatment of selected patients with vertebral metastases. Special attention to procedure techniques including choice of ablation modality, vertebral augmentation technique, and thermal protection is essential for improved patient outcomes.
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The pediatric spine undergoes complex stages of development and growth, resulting in highly age-dependent physiology and variable susceptibility to certain pathologies. Optimal radiologic evaluation requires image acquisition tailored to the clinical history and an interpretive approach that accounts for demographic variations. In this article, the author discusses the diagnostic approach to pediatric spine masses, beginning with a discussion of normal anatomy and variants, clinical evaluation, and imaging techniques and protocols. The author then covers the major etiologies, imaging appearances, and mimics of pediatric spine masses in the following categories: congenital malformations, genetic syndromes, intramedullary, intradural, epidural, bone, and paraspinal lesions.