The Spine and Spinal Cord in Children Normal Radiologic Appearance, Variations, Infections and Tumors

Abstract

Knowledge of the normal anatomy and development of vertebrae, as well as of the changes in the verte- bral bone marrow and spinal cord according to age are mandatory to interpret radiological images of these regions accurately. Imaging of the spine can be performed by conventional radiography, ultra- sonography (US), computerized tomography (CT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). With conventional radi- ography, anteroposterior (AP), lateral, and oblique projections of the vertebral column, as well as spe- cifi c structural imaging, should be obtained (e.g. AP open mouth for the odontoid process). Conventional radiographs provide valuable information regard- ing the bony structures of the spinal column, facet joints, disc spaces, and foramina, while only limited information regarding the paraspinal soft tissues can be obtained. The spinal cord is well seen with US in the fi rst few months of life, but at a later age visualization of the cord is not satisfactory.