title: Diagnostic Approach to Pediatric Spine Disorders.
abstract: Understanding the developmental features of the pediatric spine and spinal cord, including embryologic steps and subsequent growth of the osteocartilaginous spine and contents is necessary for interpretation of the pathologic events that may affect the pediatric spine. MR imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients suspected of harboring spinal abnormalities, whereas computed tomography and ultrasonography play a more limited, complementary role. This article discusses the embryologic and developmental anatomy features of the spine and spinal cord, together with some technical points and pitfalls, and the most common indications for pediatric spinal MR imaging.
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy. Electronic address: andrearossi@gaslini.org.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy.
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martinetti
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morana
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariasavina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Severino
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini, 5, Genova 16147, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tortora
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013131:Spine / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Children; Dysraphisms; Myelitis; Myelopathy; Spinal cord; Spine