Compression Fractures
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA Compression fractures may occur in the vertebrae and cause lower back pain. They most commonly occur in patients with osteoporosis….
Spinal Stenosis
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA The words spinal stenosis have a Greek origin. The word “stenosis” means “choking.” Spinal, of course, means spine. So spinal…
Piriformis Syndrome
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA The function of the piriformis muscle is to externally rotate the hip when the hip is in extension and to…
Spondylolysis
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA KeywordsSciaticaRadiculitisNeurologic lossEpiduralTransforaminalInterlaminarCaudalStenosisLeg pain The word spondylolysis is derived from the Greek spondylos (vertebra) and lysis (break). As the name implies,…
Lower Back Pain: An Overview of the Most Common Causes
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA KeywordsAcute lower back painChronic lower back painSubacute lower back painDiscogenic lower back painRadiculopathy When discussing the causes of lower back…
Treatment of Acute Lower Back Pain
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA KeywordsAcute lower back painIceHeatPhysical therapyTrigger pointMedication Acute lower back by definition is self-limited, lasting less than 4 weeks. While acute…
When Are Imaging Studies Indicated and What Do They Tell Us?
(1) Princeton Spine & Joint Center, Princeton, NJ, USA KeywordsX-rayMRICTImagingObliqueCT myelogram Ordering an X-ray or an MRI can sometimes become reflexive. A patient has lower back pain so an…
Inflammation of the Spinal Cord
TMCWG Complete acute transverse myelitis Acute partial transverse myelitis Deficits attributable to the spinal cord Sensory, motor, or autonomic dysfunction Moderate or severe symmetrical weakness and autonomic (bladder) dysfunction…
Diseases of Extramedullary Origin: Degenerative Diseases
Fig. 10.1 Sag. CT (a, b): ankylosing spondylitis with “bamboo spine” and fusion of joints Fig. 10.2 Epidural abscess dorsal accentuated C5/6 to Th2. Sag. T2 WI (a) and T1…
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Methods
Advantages Disadvantages Excellent soft tissue contrast Some contraindications Flexible “contrast” (information) Relatively slow and expensive Good spatial resolution Limited availability No ionising radiation Unintuitive artefacts Allows multi-planar imaging Lacks specificity…
