CT myelography of the T11-L2 region was performed in 8 large-breed dogs with a clinical diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy (DM) and 3 large-breed dogs that were clinically normal. CT myelographic characteristics were recorded for each dog, at each disc level. Area measurements of the spinal cord, dural sac, vertebral canal, and vertebral body were recorded at 4 slice locations for each disc level. Mean area ratios were calculated and graphically compared, by slice location and group. In all dogs, CT myelography identified morphologic abnormalities that were not suspected from conventional myelograms. Characteristics observed with higher frequency in DM versus normal dogs were: spinal stenosis, disc protrusion, focal attenuation of the subarachnoid space, spinal cord deformity, small spinal cord, and paraspinal muscle atrophy. Mean spinal cord: dural sac, spinal cord: vertebral canal, dural sac: vertebral canal, and vertebral canal:vertebral body ratios were smaller in DM versus normal dogs at more than one disc level. Some CT myelographic characteristics in DM dogs were similar to those previously reported in humans, dogs and horses with stenotic myelopathy.
Animals ; Dog Diseases/*radiography ; Dogs ; Female ; Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography ; Male ; Myelography/*veterinary ; Spinal Cord Diseases/radiography/*veterinary ; Thoracic Vertebrae/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*veterinary

Forty canine patients with a presumptive diagnosis of the intervertebral disc herniation at the thoracolumbar region were imaged. A neurological examination was performed and all patients were classified under four grades by the examination. The degrees of attenuation of the herniated disc material were measured in Housefield units (HU) in each image. The ratio of the area to herniated disc material and the height to disc material were measured. The clinical grade was correlated with the area ratio of the herniated disc material to the spinal cord, but not correlated with the height ratio of that. In the patients with epidural hemorrhage at surgery, HUs of the herniated disc material was lower than those with no epidural hemorrhage at surgery. Non-contrast computed tomography scans of the spine can be useful in diagnosing acute intervertebral disc disease in chondrodystrophoid breeds, evaluating patient status and identifying concurrent epidural hemorrhage.
Animals ; Dog Diseases/*pathology/radiography ; Dogs ; Intervertebral Disk Displacement/radiography/*veterinary ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods/standards/*veterinary

Although little attention has been paid to the less common rheumatoid involvement of the thoracic and lumbar regions, some studies have shown that rheumatoid synovitis with erosive changes can develop in these diarthrodial joints. We report a patient with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involving the thoracic and lumbar vertebra with a collapse of the T12 vertebra, who was treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty. In this case of a painful pathological fracture due to RA, percutaneous vertebroplasty was found to be helpful in eliminating the pain. The paper presents the histological evidence, the pathogenesis and treatment of the thoracolumbar lesions affected by RA with a review of the relevant literature.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/blood/complications/*pathology/radiography ; Female ; Fractures, Compression/etiology/radiography/surgery ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography ; Vertebroplasty

A 24-year-old male patient was initially evaluated for persistent back pain. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7 points. Physical examination revealed a decreased range of lumbar spinal motion, which caused pain. Simple X-ray revealed Meyerding grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L4 on L5, with mild dome-shaped superior endplate and consecutive multilevel spondylolysis at T12-L5. Standing anteroposterior and lateral views of the entire spine revealed normal balance of sagittal and coronal alignment. A computed tomography scan revealed bilateral spondylolysis at T12-L4, left unilateral spondylolysis at L5, and spina bifida at L5 to sacral region. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild dural ectasia at the lumbar region. Due to the absence of any neurological symptoms, the patient was managed conservatively. He was rested a few weeks with corset brace and physiotherapy. After treatment, his back pain improved, VAS score changed from 7 to 2, and he was able to return to normal activity.
Adult ; Back Pain/etiology ; Humans ; *Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; *Spinal Dysraphism ; *Spondylolisthesis/pathology/radiography ; *Spondylolysis/pathology/radiography ; *Thoracic Vertebrae/pathology/radiography ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of post-processing on a PACS workstation before and after use of thedynamic range suppression method for the normal chest radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty normal chestradiographs of healthy adult volunteers aged 20 to 33 (average 27; M:F = 29:11) were acquired by FCR using adigital interface and then transferred to an in-house-developed PACS workstation. The image size of computed chestradiographs was 7.5MB with 1760 x 2140 matrix. An image enhancement processing named DRS, developed by theauthors, was applied to the acquired images and generated a total of 40 chest radiographs. These were presented tothree groups of observers, each consisting of one radiologist and one technician on the PACS workstation, whichhad two monitors of 1712 x 2100 resolution. So that external light would not affect the visibility of imagesduring observation, these were displayed in a light-controlled room. The J.J.Vucich method, suitably modified, wasused to evaluate the anatomical structures and physical parameters of processed and unprocessed radiographs. Usinga percentage scale, the observers evaluated both anatomical sections (seven anatomical items : cortical margins ofribs, left diaphragms, thoracic vertebrae, trachea, pulmonary vasculature, trabeculae of ribs and clavicle,diaphragm outline) and physical sections (four items : contrast, graininess, density, detail). The results for thethree groups, both before and after DRS processing, were then compared. RESULTS: There was a statisticallysignificant difference between the three groups: in the anatomical section, 78.64 before DRS and 82.55 after ; andin the physical section, 75.48 and 79.78 (p<0.05). The average values of all items were 77.06 before DRS and 81.17after (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-processing of computed chest radiographs on the PACS workstation improves boththe visibility of anatomical features and general image quality. Thus, in a PACS environment, it can be a usefultool for enhancing the diagnostic efficacy of radiography.
Adult ; Diaphragm ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Ribs ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Thorax* ; Trachea ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of post-processing on a PACS workstation before and after use of thedynamic range suppression method for the normal chest radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty normal chestradiographs of healthy adult volunteers aged 20 to 33 (average 27; M:F = 29:11) were acquired by FCR using adigital interface and then transferred to an in-house-developed PACS workstation. The image size of computed chestradiographs was 7.5MB with 1760 x 2140 matrix. An image enhancement processing named DRS, developed by theauthors, was applied to the acquired images and generated a total of 40 chest radiographs. These were presented tothree groups of observers, each consisting of one radiologist and one technician on the PACS workstation, whichhad two monitors of 1712 x 2100 resolution. So that external light would not affect the visibility of imagesduring observation, these were displayed in a light-controlled room. The J.J.Vucich method, suitably modified, wasused to evaluate the anatomical structures and physical parameters of processed and unprocessed radiographs. Usinga percentage scale, the observers evaluated both anatomical sections (seven anatomical items : cortical margins ofribs, left diaphragms, thoracic vertebrae, trachea, pulmonary vasculature, trabeculae of ribs and clavicle,diaphragm outline) and physical sections (four items : contrast, graininess, density, detail). The results for thethree groups, both before and after DRS processing, were then compared. RESULTS: There was a statisticallysignificant difference between the three groups: in the anatomical section, 78.64 before DRS and 82.55 after ; andin the physical section, 75.48 and 79.78 (p<0.05). The average values of all items were 77.06 before DRS and 81.17after (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-processing of computed chest radiographs on the PACS workstation improves boththe visibility of anatomical features and general image quality. Thus, in a PACS environment, it can be a usefultool for enhancing the diagnostic efficacy of radiography.
Adult ; Diaphragm ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Ribs ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Thorax* ; Trachea ; Volunteers

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To provide reference data for the study and treatment of thoracic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There have been no reports on the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2011 to October 2012, radiographs of patients under 80 years of age who underwent routine chest radiographs were retrospectively reviewed. Based on their age when the chest radiographs were obtained, the patients were divided into 8 groups. The prevalence and angle of the curve of thoracic scoliosis were investigated in each age group, and the prevalence of thoracic scoliosis according to sex, the direction of the curve, number of vertebrae in the major curve, the location and rotation of the apical vertebrae, and osteophyte location were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of thoracic scoliosis was 2.4% (621 patients), and female patients (3.0%, 375 of 12471) showed a higher prevalence than male patients (1.8%, 246 of 13654) (p<0.001). Right curvature was present in 445 patients and left curvature in 176 patients. In each age group, the prevalence and degree of thoracic scoliosis were 1.1% (14.2°±3.2°), 2.3% (17.4°±7.7°), 2.5% (17.0°±8.9°), 1.9% (15.8°±5.9°), 1.3% (15.5°±6.6°), 2.1% (18.0°±13.6°), 2.9% (14.3°±3.6°), and 6.1% (16.2°±4.8°), respectively. The mean curvature in all scoliosis patients was 16.0°±7.0°. The angle of the curve was significantly different by sex (15.4°±7.1° for males, 16.8°±7.6° for females). The average curve angle of patients with thoracic scoliosis was 16.0°±7.0°, among whom it was 10°–20° in 533 patients, 20°–30° in 64, 30°–40° in 11, and over 40° in 13. CONCLUSIONS: This study could be used as a reference point for the study and treatment of thoracic scoliosis.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Osteophyte ; Prevalence ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Thorax

OBJECTIVETo develop a percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus for vertebral bone defect reconstruction in thoracolumbar fracture correction via minimally invasive operation.

METHODSThe percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus was designed with CAD software, and the reduction effect, range of bone grafting and surgical complications of the apparatus were investigated in adult cadaveric thoracolumbar body and with computerized surgical simulation.

RESULTSThe self-designed apparatus was convenient for percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting that did not give rise to complications. CT showed large bone grafting area with increased density in the vertebral body corrected with this apparatus.

CONCLUSIONThe designed apparatus allows easy manipulation and efficient bone grafting and repositioning. Minimally invasive interbody bone grafting in thoracolumbar fracture can be easily performed with proper application of the apparatus.

Bone Transplantation ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Radiography ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

PURPOSE: Surgical treatment in the case of thoracolumbar burst fractures is very controversial. Posterior instrumentation is most frequently used, however, but the number of levels to be instrumented still remains a matter of debate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 94 patients who had a single burst fracture between T11 and L2 were selected and were managed using posterior instrumentation with anterior fusion when necessary. They were divided into three groups as follows; Group I (n = 28) included patients who were operated by intermediate segment fixation, Group II (n = 32) included patients operated by long segment fixation, and Group III (n = 34) included those operated by intermediate segment fixation with a pair of additional screws in the fractured vertebra. The mean follow-up period was twenty one months. The outcomes were analyzed in terms of kyphosis angle (KA), regional kyphosis angle (RA), sagittal index (SI), anterior height compression rate, Frankel classification, and Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. RESULTS: In Groups II and III, the correction values of KA, RA, and SI were much better than in Group I. At the final follow up, the correction values of KA (6.3 and 12.1, respectively) and SI (6.2 and 12.0, respectively) were in Groups II and III found to be better in the latter. CONCLUSION: The intermediate segment fixation with an additional pair of screws at the fracture level vertebra gives results that are comparable or even better than long segment fixation and gives an advantage of preserving an extra mobile segment.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Spinal Fractures/radiography/*surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries/radiography/*surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/*diagnosis/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*abnormalities/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed