[Pneumorachis: report of three rare causes]
I Hasni Bouraoui1, W Gamoun, K Mrad Dali
1Service d'Imagerie Médicale, CHU Sahloul, Sousse 4000, Tunisie. ibtissemhasni@yahoo.fr
Journal De Radiologie
|June 2, 2010
Summary
Gas in the spinal canal (pneumorachis) is rare but can be linked to various conditions. This study highlights three cases of pneumorachis in patients experiencing lumbar back pain.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Neurosurgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Pneumorachis, or gas within the spinal canal, is an uncommon imaging finding.
- Etiologies for pneumorachis are diverse, including degenerative, traumatic, infectious, tumoral, and iatrogenic causes.
- It is often discovered incidentally during imaging studies.
Observation:
- This report details three cases of pneumorachis in patients presenting with lumbar back pain.
- Case 1: Advanced degenerative disk disease.
- Case 2: Posterior facet synovial cyst.
- Case 3: Locally advanced rectal carcinoma with perforation.
Findings:
- Pneumorachis was identified in all three patients.
- Imaging modalities used included Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT).
- Pneumorachis was detected on MRI in two cases and CT in all three.
Implications:
- Pneumorachis, while rare, can be associated with significant underlying pathologies causing back pain.
- Radiologists and clinicians should consider potential etiologies when encountering pneumorachis.
- Further investigation may be warranted depending on the clinical context and imaging findings.
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