Limited sequence MRI to improve standards of care for suspected cauda equina syndrome.

Aims: Early cases of cauda equina syndrome (CES) often present with nonspecific symptoms and signs, and it is recommended that patients undergo emergency MRI regardless of the time since presentation. This creates substantial pressure on resources, with many scans performed to rule out cauda equina rather than confirm it. We propose that compression of the cauda equina should be apparent with a limited sequence (LS) scan that takes significantly less time to perform.

May-Thurner variant secondary to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: a case report.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a rare condition in which patients develop iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis due to an anatomical variant in which the right common iliac artery overlies and compresses the left common iliac vein against the lumbar spine. We report a case of variant MTS, where vascular distortion secondary to spontaneous spinal arthrodesis of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis resulted in left common iliac vein compression and iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis. While the common complications of degenerative spondylolisthesis, such as spinal stenosis, are well described; the potential for pelvic vascular distortion secondary to anterior translation of the lumbar spine is not well recognized.

Anatomic determination of optimal entry point and direction for C1 lateral mass screw placement.

Study Design: Anatomic study of C1 osteology using computerized tomography.

Objectives: To define the anatomy of the C1 lateral mass and make recommendations for optimal entry point and screw placement at C1.

Summary Of Background Data: C1 lateral mass screw fixation is a reliable biomechanical technique that gives equivalent stability to that of Magerl transarticular screw fixation combined with posterior wiring for C1-C2 fusion.