title: MR imaging of spinal infection: atypical features, interpretive pitfalls and potential mimickers.
abstract: The wide variability of MR features in spinal infection reflects rare distribution of discovertebral involvement, unexpected soft-tissue and bone abnormalities, un-usual complications or uncommon pathogens. In addition, several de-generative and inflammatory entities can clinically and radiologically resemble spinal infection. In this pictorial review, we illustrate the various atypical features that may be found in MR imaging of spinal infection,with emphasis on interpretative pit-falls and common mimickers.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Diagnóstic per la Imatge, Hospital Universitari de Tarragona Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain. rmidi@hjxxiii.scs.es
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mellado
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pérez del Palomar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Camins
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salvadó
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saurí
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008875:Middle Aged; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000175:diagnosis