The computed tomographic findings in benign diseases of the vertebral column

Computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the diagnosis of diseases affecting the vertebral column. CT effectively demonstrates the bony vertebral column with its intervertebral articulations, its soft tissue contents, and the surrounding paravertebral soft tissues. The vertebral column may be the site of involvement of a wide variety of benign diseases. These diseases may be congenital or acquired and may arise from within the spinal canal, from the vertebrae themselves, or from the paravertebral soft tissues. These lesions may be unsuspected clinically and may be detected incidentally in patients undergoing CT of the spine for nonspecific complaints. The axial projection is extremely useful in displaying spinal anatomy and pathology and, combined with sagittal and coronal reformation, provides diagnostic information not possible from any other radiological modality. More invasive radiological procedures, such as myelography, may in many cases be obviated, especially if shorter segments of the vertebral column are to be surveyed. The CT findings in many cases are sufficiently characteristic to enable a specific diagnosis to be made.