title: [CT and MRI in diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the vertebral body].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the vertebral body (ANV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve ANV patients were retrospectively analysed by their medical history, clinic manifestation, CT and MRI. Twelve AVN patients were treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP). The pain level of each patient was assessed, both before and after the procedure, using a visual analogue scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the patients had ANV in the thoracolumbar spine. The intravertebral vaccum phenomenon (VP), with gas or fluid-like collection, was seen on computed tomographic (CT) images and magnetic resonance images (MRI). In the early stages, the VP zone was characterized by fluid-like collection, and was low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2. In the latter stages, the margin of VP zone had sclerotic change on CT scan. VAS score decreased from preoperative (9.08 +/- 0.76) to (2.33 +/- 1.43) at 3 days after PVP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ANV must be considered as a possible diagnosis of VP secondary to osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Both CT and MRI could provide reliable diagnostic proof for ANV. PVP is proved to be an effective and safe procedure for the treatment of ANV, and could provid quick pain relief.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University, Dalian 116001, Liaoning, China. gzsyang2@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jian-min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: De-wei
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Dan-yang
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xin-lu
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed