IMAGE OF THE WEEK

WEEK 32

 

CERVICAL SPONDYLODISCITIS 

  

 

Figure 1a: Preop

Figure 1b: Postop

 

 

 

Assessment of the cervical spine radiograph includes 2 important aspects:

1.    Bony alignment – there are a series of lines to assess

2.    The anterior pre-vertebral soft tissues

 

BONY ALIGNMENT

 

Bony alignment consists of 3 key ‘lines’ which need to be reviewed.  These are the:

a.    Anterior vertebral line

b.    Posterior vertebral line

c.    Spinolaminar line

 

 

Figure 2a: C-spine illustration showing lines to assess on cervical radiograph

Figure 2b: C-spine x-ray

 

 

A very important aspect of assessment of the cervical spine radiograph is the pre-vertebral soft tissues.  Although uncommonly abnormal, when abnormality arises it is often of great clinical significance spinal.  The pre-vertebral soft tissues can provide signs of disease of the cervical spine.
 

The anterior spinal soft tissues should have the dimensions as shown below if normal.

 

 

 

Figure 3: Soft tissue dimensions of C-spine

 

The pre-vertebral soft tissues at C2 should measure less than 7mm or less than 50% of the width of the adjacent vertebral body
 

The pre-vertebral soft tissue at C6 should measure less than 22mm. An alternative assessment is to compare the width of the adjacent cervical vertebral body. The pre-vertebral measurement should not be greater than the width of the vertebral body.
 

In this case there is a significant widening of the pre-vertebral soft tissues anterior to C4 and C5 with displacement of the tracheal air column anteriorly.  The C4-C5 disc space is obliterated and there is bony destruction of the adjacent end plates of C4 and C5, implying this is a pathology centred on the disc.

The appearances are consistent with a discitis with extension into the vertebral bodies and para-vertebral soft tissues, termed a spondylodiscitis.

Pyogenic infection, due to organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, is the most common cause, although it is important to consider non-pyogenic causes, in particular tuberculosis.

MRI is the most sensitive form of imaging with a suspicion of spondylodiscitis, providing the most detail, both in terms of soft tissue characterisation, the status of the spinal canal. It also aids identification of an epidural abscess (see below in a different patient).

 

 

 

Figure 4:

MRI Spine Post Contrast: Epidural Abscess

 

 

Images contributed by Dr Ian Bickle, Department of Radiology, RIPAS Hospital, Brunei Darussalam.

All images are copyrighted and property of RIPAS Hospital.

 

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