CT of the Spine

This chapter begins with a brief introduction to computed tomography (CT) of the spine. It describes the indications for using CT in this area and then addresses the technical aspects: positioning, technical parameters and contrast medium. The next section considers normal anatomy and then explores acute pathology: traumatic subluxation/fractures, atlantoaxial subluxation/instability, disc herniation, compressive hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion (HNPE)/discal cyst, infarct and haemorrhage. Next, we discuss chronic pathology: chronic disc disease, neoplastic conditions, spinal infections (including cervical spondylomyelopathy and LS pathology), spinal malformation and other pathologies including arachnoid diverticula and cervical syringomyelia. Finally, the chapter describes CT-guided percutaneous spine biopsy and postoperative spine CT imaging.