Imaging diagnosis of vertebral metastasis.

The spine is the third most frequent location for metastatic disease, after the lung and liver. On the other hand, the most frequent bone tumors are metastases and the spine is the main location. A review of the different imaging techniques available, both radiological and nuclear medicine, and the morphological appearance of spinal metastases in each of them is performed. Magnetic resonance imaging is the best imaging modality for detection of spinal metastases. It is important to make the differential diagnosis between vertebral fracture of osteoporotic and pathological cause. Spinal cord compression is a serious complication of metastatic disease and its assessment by imaging through objective scales is decisive for estimating spinal stability and therefore establishing treatment. Lastly, percutaneous intervention techniques are briefly discussed.