Magnetic resonance demonstration of hyperintense herniated discs and extruded disc fragments.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is useful in evaluating a variety of spinal pathologies including intervertebral disc disease. Herniated discs are commonly believed to undergo premature degeneration and produce low intensity signal on T2-weighted images. We reviewed 154 patients who were studied for disc herniations or other pathology. Fifty-nine (38%) had disc herniations and 7 of these (5%) had a fragment that was hyperintense with respect to the adjacent intervertebral disc on T2-weighted images. It is hypothesized that some disc fragments may contain a higher water content that causes prolongation of the T2 signal. The bright signal which is therefore seen on long TR long TE (T2-weighted) images may be a useful sign suggesting herniation or extrusion.
Glickstein
M F
MF
David W. Devon Medical Imaging Center, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Burke
D L
DL
Kressel
H Y
HY
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies