Imaging of post-surgical treatment and of related complications in spinal trauma.
Spinal trauma is a devastating event with a high morbidity and mortality. The rationale of imaging is to diagnose the traumatic abnormalities and characterize the type of injury, to estimate the severity of the lesions, to evaluate the potential spinal instability. In case of spinal instability, the goals of operative treatment are decompression of the spinal cord canal and stabilization of the disrupted vertebral column. Particularly, diagnostic imaging, mainly by CT and MR, has a main role in the post-treatment evaluation. The neuroradiological evaluation of the postoperative spine requires a general knowledge of the surgical approach to each spinal region and of the normal temporal evolution of expected postoperative changes. The neuroradiologist should evaluate the devices implanted, their related complications and promptly alert the surgeon of acute complications, mainly vascular and infective. During the follow-up, it is mandatory to know and search chronic complications as pseudomeningocele, accelerated degenerative disease, arachnoiditis, peridural fibrosis. Knowledge of specific complications relating to each surgical approach will assist the neuroradiologist in interpretation of postoperative images.
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis 1, 86100, Campobasso, Italy. ferdinandocaranci@libero.it.
F
F
Caranci
Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
G
G
Leone
Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
L
L
Ugga
Radiology Section, Health Service, Navy Command of Brindisi, Brindisi, Italy.
E
E
Cesarano
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis 1, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
R
R
Capasso
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis 1, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
S
S
Schipani
Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
A
A
Bianco
Radiology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
P
P
Fonio
Neuroradiology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
F
F
Briganti
Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Via F. De Sanctis 1, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
L
L
Brunese
D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
CT; MRI; Postoperative spine; Spinal instability; Spinal stability; Spinal trauma