title: Schmorl's node developing in the lumbar vertebra affected with metastatic carcinoma: correlation magnetic resonance imaging with histological findings.
abstract: METHODS
  Described is magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of unusual Schmorl's node occurring in the lumbar vertebra affected with metastatic carcinoma.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To know MR features of Schmorl's node with a neoplastic background.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Schmorl's nodes occasionally develop in the vertebrae affected with metastatic carcinoma; however, their MR images have been rarely illustrated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The spinal column dissected from a 65-year-old man who died of esophageal carcinoma was examined. Specimen radiographs and MR images were correlated to histologic sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  T1-weighted spin-echo image revealed intervertebral disc displacement into the second lumbar vertebra, which showed intermediate signal intensity, and a surrounding area of lower signal intensity. Short T1 inversion recovery image exhibited a crescent area of high signal intensity surrounding a focus of intermediate signal intensity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR features consisting of two different signal patterns are characteristic for Schmorl's node with a neoplastic background. The conditions should be distinguished from Schmorl's nodes in an acute phase, which show similar MR features.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Koshigaya, Saitama, Japan. takehiko@dokkyomed.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Seiichirou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishiiwa
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamato
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ueda
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary*