Postoperative MR Findings of the Anterior Cervical Fusion.
10.3348/jkrs.1996.34.2.165
- Author:
Uk JIN
1
;
Woo Suk CHOI
;
Joo Hyeong OH
;
Eui Jong KIM
;
Yup YOON
Author Information
1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Spine, surgery;
Spine, MR
- MeSH:
Discitis;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Orthopedics;
Spine;
Spondylitis;
Transplants
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1996;34(2):165-169
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to describe the postopertive MRI findings with contrast enhancement following anterior cervical fusion(ACF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients after anterior cervical fusionsfor disc herniation or traumatic injury were studied with MRI 1 month to 10 months after operation. MRI findings were analysed with attention to the remained vertebral body, disc material, retropharyngeal soft tissue, grafted bone fragment, and biological orthopedic prosthesis(BOP). RESULTS: In 8/13 cases(62%), enhancement of the retropharyngeal soft tissue was seen with good demarcation between soft tissue and surrounding vertebra or disc.In 9/13 cases(69%), grafted bone or BOP was well defined by intersurface with low signal intensity. In 4 cases ofACF with bone graft, 2 cases(50%) showed heterogeneous or homogeneous enhancement of grafted bone fragments. Remained vertebral bodies and discs showed enhancements in 8/13 cases(62%). CONCLUSION: Postoperative MR findings after ACF included good margination of enhanced retropharyngeal soft tissue, grafted bone, and remained vertebral bodies/discs. The MRI could be a useful study to differentiate findings after ACF from posoperative inflammations such as spondylitis or discitis, and be a good imaging modality for follow up of grafted bony fragment or BOP.
