title: Radiographic evaluation of the degenerative cervical spine.
abstract: Despite some claims to the contrary, the use of plain film radiography can be an inexpensive initial means of evaluating the degenerative cervical spine if viewed in the context of the patient's clinical history and physical examination and may serve as a guide for further imaging techniques. This article presents a systematic approach for evaluating cervical spine radiographs for the spectrum of degenerative changes, followed by a brief discussion of differential diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Ohio.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rahim
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Stambough
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D015576:Hyperostosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging