title: Lumbar spine fusion and stabilization: hardware, techniques, and imaging appearances.
abstract: Stabilization and fusion of the lumbar spine may be performed by using various anterior and posterior surgical techniques and a wide range of devices, including screws, spinal wires, artificial ligaments, vertebral cages, and artificial disks. Because spinal procedures are increasingly common, such devices are seen more and more often in everyday radiologic practice. For evaluation of the postoperative spine, radiography is the modality most commonly used. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be useful alternatives, but MR imaging of the postoperative spine is vulnerable to metal-induced artifacts. For an accurate postoperative assessment of spinal instrumentation and of any complications, it is important that radiologists be familiar with the normal imaging appearances of the lumbar spine after stabilization, fusion, and disk replacement with various techniques and devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Tremona Road, Mailpoint 53, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, England.
authors.forename: Elizabeth E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Rutherford
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Tarplett
authors.forename: Evan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Harley
authors.forename: Leonard J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D009192:Myelography; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed