Imaging in degenerative spine pathology
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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Cesare Colosimo1, Simona Gaudino, Andrea M Alexandre
1Department of Bioimaging and Radiological Sciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Policlinico A.Gemelli, L.go A.Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy. colosimo@rm.unicatt.it
Abstract:
The lack of radiation, high soft tissue contrast and capacity for multiplanar and three-dimensional imaging have made magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the imaging modality of choice for evaluating spinal cord diseases. In diagnostic imaging of the spine, MRI is clearly superior to both conventional radiography (CR) and computed tomography (CT) and it should be preferred as first diagnostic examination when degenerative spine pathologies are suspected.The other technological equipments (CT, CR, dynamic orthostatic X-ray, myelography, discography and skeletal scintigraphy) have to be selectively chosen and adapted to the individual patient.Both "container" and "contents" of the spine should be primly evaluated. Finally, a correlation between clinical and radiological features seems to be mandatory for selecting the correct therapeutic choice, since the reliability of the MRI as potential prognostic indicator has been demonstrated.
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