Cervical disk disease

Article Abstract:

Degeneration of the cervical spine (the portion of the spine in the neck) is commonly seen as people age. This degeneration often leads to a number of conditions, such as a herniated or "slipped" disk, that result in pressure being exerted on nerves. This can lead to pain and immobility. Imaging techniques are the major diagnostic tools used to specifically locate cervical disk problems. The simplest and most commonly used imaging technique is the basic X-ray; it is an inexpensive and effective tool used to examine the bony structures of the spine. However, it cannot be used to examine changes in other types of tissues that may be causing cervical disk disease. Thus, other imaging techniques are needed to fully diagnose cervical disk disorders. Myelography was one of the first techniques developed to image lesions of the cervical spine; it involves injecting a contrasting agent into the spine and then taking an X-ray. A major problem with myelography is the possibility of serious side effects. It has been replaced by computed tomography (CT) myelography as the standard technique used today. CT myelography involves computer-generated three-dimensional images produced from many planar X-rays taken of the cervical spine area. It also requires an injection of a contrasting agent, but in much smaller and safer amounts. CT myelography is excellent for detecting soft-disk herniation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also being used to diagnose cervical disk disease. It is very sensitive in differentiating tissues and is not affected by bone artifacts interfering with the images. Problems with MRI are its limited ability to show where the image is in space, artifacts in very thin sections, and its insensitivity to mineralization. A new technique, gradient-recalled-echo (GRE), has helped solve some of these problems. In conclusion, a patient with possible cervical spine disease should initially be examined using MRI, because it can be very effective without possible side effects. If the diagnosis cannot be made using MRI alone, CT or MRI using a contrasting agent should then be used. For patients complaining of pain that is most likely a result of disease of the cervical spine nerves (radiculopathy), conservative therapy should first be tried. If the pain is not alleviated, X-rays followed by MRI or CT myelography should be performed to find the cause. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Spinal diseases, Radiography, Medical, Medical radiography, Intervertebral disk displacement, Myelography, Intervertebral disk

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Uterine cervical carcinoma: comparison of CT and MR findings

Article Abstract:

Cervical cancer (affecting the cervix of the uterus) is a major cause of death in women. Effective treatment requires early diagnosis and accurate evaluation of the cancer. Computed tomography (CT), an imaging procedure in which a computer generates images from data obtained by scanning X-rays, has been used to evaluate this disease. Although CT is very useful, it does not provide enough information about the parametrium, the connective tissue that surrounds the uterus. This study compared CT with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for evaluating cervical cancer. MR is a diagnostic technique that uses magnetic properties to produce images of tissues and organs. The study included 30 women with cervical cancer who were examined using CT, MR, and clinical evaluation for determining the extent of disease and the course of treatment that should be used. Results showed that CT was not able to detect 10 (33 percent) of the tumors, and MR did not detect six (20 percent) of the tumors. None of the tumors that MR did not detect were detected by CT. The techniques were also compared for evaluating invasion by the cancer of the cervical wall and the parametrium. The results indicate that MR is superior to CT and clinical methods in evaluating and staging uterine cancer and in detecting involvement of the parametrium. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cervical cancer, CT imaging, CAT scans

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