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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spinal Infection

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Imaging of Spinal Infection

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

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Abstract

Infection can involve different structures in and around the spine, such as the vertebral bodies, intervertebral disks, spinal canal, spinal cord, nerve roots, and paraspinal soft tissues. A delay in diagnosis and treatment of spinal infection can result in dire consequences for the patient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the imaging modality of choice for investigating spinal infection. It provides excellent soft tissue resolution, superior sensitivity, and comprehensive assessment of the spine without the risk of ionizing radiation. Applying the correct MRI technique and knowing the protocols and pitfalls of MRI are important to optimize imaging of spinal infection.

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Abbreviations

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

CT:

Computed tomography

FS:

Fat-suppressed

IV:

Intravenous

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

STIR:

Short tau inversion recovery

T1-W:

T1-weighted

T2-W:

T2-weighted

TE:

Echo time

TR:

Repetition time

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Mr. Tan Tee Meng, senior principal radiographer, for his input to Subsection 3.2 on MRI coils and MRI radiographers Ms. Tay Ming Wei, Mr. Lin Chih-Ying, Mr. Huang Tsung-Hsiang, Mr. Archel Javier, and Ms. Joyce Tan Mui Sin for their assistance in acquiring some of the images.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Woodlands Health Campus, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    Kheng Song Leow & Keynes T. A. Low

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    Wilfred C. G. Peh

Authors
  1. Kheng Song Leow
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  2. Keynes T. A. Low
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  3. Wilfred C. G. Peh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kheng Song Leow .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mohamed Kassab Orthopedic Institute, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohamed Fethi Ladeb

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore

    Wilfred C.G. Peh

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Leow, K.S., Low, K.T.A., Peh, W.C.G. (2021). Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spinal Infection. In: Ladeb, M.F., Peh, W.C. (eds) Imaging of Spinal Infection. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70459-9_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70459-9_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-70458-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-70459-9

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