SPINAALSTENOOSI RADIODIAGNOSTIKA
Spinal stenosis radiodiagnostics
Kevin Aas, Keio Polberg, Triin Kasesalu
Abstract This final paper is theoretical and it is based on a literature review. Its aim is to describe how to execute different examinations for the patients with spinal stenosis diagnosis using different modalities. To attain this, the following research tasks were set: 1. To describe spinal stenosis radiodiagnostics in radiography. 2. To describe spinal stenosis radiodiagnostics in computed tomography (CT) 3. To describe spinal stenosis radiodiagnostics in magnet resonance imaging (MRI) 4. To describe spinal stenosis radiodiagnostics in positron emission tomography (PET) Sensitivity of x-ray is low when it comes to imaging the nonosseous causes of spinal stenosis. Flexion-extension radiographs are the most thoroughly used study for vertebral instability imaging. Conventional myelography is done, when the patient has contraindications for the MRI examination. CT provides excellent cortical bone detail when imaging for the causes of spinal stenosis. The study revealed that when imaging the spine in CT the examination should be obtained from the level which causes the symptoms. CT and MRI preoperatively are complementary and give most information for decompressive surgery of spinal stenosis. MRI examination provides the best information for spinal stenosis evaluation and for the confirmation of diagnosis. The discs, soft tissue, bony changes and contents of the dural sac are well visualized. When conventional supine MRI 126
