Rays
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Degeneration of the intervertebral disk complex begins early in life and is a consequence of a variety of environmental factors as well as of normal aging. Degeneration of bone and soft tissue spinal elements is the most common cause of spinal stenosis. ⋯ Computed tomography and myelography have long been used for diagnosing the effects of degenerative diseases' of the lumbar spine. Despite the continuous improvement in magnetic resonance scanning for this purpose, computed tomography can provide excellent screening for disk herniation and spinal stenosis.
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The differentiation between normal sequelae and complications of any surgical treatment of the lumbar spine is of the utmost importance. Clinical and radiological diagnosis is often difficult. ⋯ For example, the frequent resort in vertebral surgery to metal implants which may limit or even prevent the interpretation of CT or MR images, should be kept in mind. The main types of surgical procedures involving the lumbar spine are briefly reviewed, focusing on CT and MRI appearance of normal sequelae of early or late complications and the recurrence of the lesion that necessitated the first procedure.