title: Current imaging concepts of thoracic intervertebral disks.
abstract: This article reviews the current concepts of thoracic herniated disks using the radiologic literature as well as our own experience with more than 100 thoracic HNPs. The relative frequency of asymptomatic thoracic HNPs is documented. Points of interest include the optimal technique, criteria for interpretation, strengths and weaknesses of various imaging modalities, including water-soluble myelography, CT myelography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, the protean clinical manifestations of thoracic HNPs and current operative management are briefly addressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, St. Louis University Medical Center, Missouri 63110-0250.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Awwad
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pittman
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Noland
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae