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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 9/2011

01-09-2011 | Special Issue: Jubilee

Imaging of lumbar degenerative disk disease: history and current state

Authors: Todd M. Emch, Michael T. Modic

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 9/2011

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Abstract

One of the most common indications for performing magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the lumbar spine is the symptom complex thought to originate as a result of degenerative disk disease. MR imaging, which has emerged as perhaps the modality of choice for imaging degenerative disk disease, can readily demonstrate disk pathology, degenerative endplate changes, facet and ligamentous hypertrophic changes, and the sequelae of instability. Its role in terms of predicting natural history of low back pain, identifying causality, or offering prognostic information is unclear. As available modalities for imaging the spine have progressed from radiography, myelography, and computed tomography to MR imaging, there have also been advances in spine surgery for degenerative disk disease. These advances are described in a temporal context for historical purposes with a focus on MR imaging’s history and current state.
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Metadata
Title
Imaging of lumbar degenerative disk disease: history and current state
Authors
Todd M. Emch
Michael T. Modic
Publication date
01-09-2011
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 9/2011
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-011-1163-x

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