Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2014
ReviewRadiologic evaluation and management of postoperative spine paraspinal fluid collections.
Postoperative paraspinal fluid collections can present a management dilemma to both radiologists and surgeons. Although many of these collections present as incidental findings and are unrelated to the presenting signs and symptoms that led to the imaging study, certain collections in the context of the appropriate clinical scenario may require additional evaluation and even emergent intervention. This article reviews those collections that are most frequently encountered and suggests management strategies that may assist in the evaluation and management of the patient.
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Imaging of the postoperative spine is common, although it remains a difficult task for radiologists. This article presents an overview of common surgical approaches and spinal hardware, and specific complications that may be associated with each procedure. In addition, expected postoperative changes and complications that are common among procedures, with their differential diagnosis and imaging features, are discussed.
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Primary or metastatic spine tumors can present with pain and/or neurologic compromise depending on their location within the spinal axis. Metastases and multiple myeloma comprise most of these lesions. ⋯ Pre- and postoperative imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis and management of patients with spinal tumors. This article reviews postoperative imaging of the spine, including imaging protocols, immediate and long-term routine imaging findings, and emergent findings in symptomatic patients.
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Although imaging plays a critical role and has become an integral part in preprocedure evaluation of osteoporotic patients at risk of compression fracture, many treated patients undergo follow-up imaging, for reasons ranging from potential procedure-related complications to development of new symptoms after initial improvement after successful vertebral augmentation (VA). Although imaging is frequently obtained for evaluation of these patients, there is a general lack of knowledge about imaging characteristics of treated vertebrae. This article reviews various indications for post-VA imaging, the appearance of augmented spine on imaging, and the important complications associated with the VA procedure.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2014
ReviewThe postoperative spine: what the spine surgeon needs to know.
Radiologists are often required to evaluate postoperative spine imaging to assist the surgeon with further clinical management. This article reviews common spine surgical techniques and their proper evaluation on imaging from a surgical perspective. The article attempts to provide a basic surgical foundation for radiologists and a clearer delineation of important points and complications that should be commented on when evaluating the postoperative spine on imaging.