Built for neuroradiology fellows and spine imagers, this reference turns spine imaging into a disciplined localization process: signal, site, differential, workup pivot, and management anchor. It moves from MRI and CT protocol selection through degenerative compression, trauma, marrow replacement, infection, inflammatory disease, congenital anomalies, cord pathology, postoperative imaging, and procedural planning. The scientific foundation is anatomic compartment reasoning-marrow, disc-endplate complex, epidural space, thecal sac, neural foramen, cord, sacrum, hardware interface-and the decisions it drives at the PACS workstation.
• Select MRI, CT, radiography, CT myelography, PET/CT, and contrast protocols - match each modality to marrow, bone, cord, root, canal, hardware, infection, or tumor questions.
• Separate disc herniation, lateral recess stenosis, foraminal stenosis, and degenerative myelopathy - name the compressed root or cord consequence without overreporting incidental spondylosis.
• Map cervical, thoracolumbar, sacral, and cord trauma - connect fracture morphology, ligament failure, retropulsion, epidural hematoma, and instability to urgent reporting.
• Decode metastases, myeloma, primary bone tumors, epidural tumors, and treatment response - distinguish marrow replacement, pathologic collapse, ESCC, SINS-relevant features, and post-radiation mimics.
• Diagnose discitis-osteomyelitis, epidural abscess, septic facet arthritis, and inflammatory mimics - separate infection from Modic change, tumor, postoperative enhancement, and spondyloarthritis.
• Localize congenital and pediatric spine findings - report tethered cord, dermal sinus, split cord malformation, segmentation anomalies, and wrong-level risks clearly.
• Interpret cord signal and postoperative complications - identify infarction, dural AV fistula, syrinx, arachnoid disease, recurrent disc, scar, pseudarthrosis, CSF leak, and hardware failure.
Use this reference to make every spine report more precise, more actionable, and safer for the patients whose care depends on it.
