Diagnostic Imaging of the Cervical Spine & Retropharyngeal Abscess

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, spaces, imaging planes, modalities, and pathology discussed in the Diagnostic Imaging of the Spine lecture.

Anterior vertebral line

Imaginary line traced along the anterior borders of the cervical vertebral bodies on a lateral image; disruption suggests malalignment or fracture.

Posterior vertebral line

Radiographic line following the posterior borders of the vertebral bodies; loss of continuity indicates possible subluxation or fracture.

Spinolaminar line

Line connecting the junctions of the laminae and spinous processes on a lateral view; helps confirm proper cervical alignment.

Predental space

Space between the anterior arch of C1 and the odontoid (dens); should measure <3 mm in adults—widening implies trauma or instability.

Prevertebral soft tissue

Soft tissue layer anterior to the cervical spine; thickening can result from hemorrhage, edema, or deep-neck infection.

Retropharyngeal space

Potential space between buccopharyngeal and alar fascia extending from skull base to superior mediastinum; common site of deep-neck abscess.

Prevertebral space

Space posterior to the alar fascia and anterior to the prevertebral fascia; contains vertebral bodies and paraspinal muscles.

Danger space

Deep-neck space between alar and prevertebral fascia that can allow infections to descend rapidly into the mediastinum.

Prevertebral fascia

Deep cervical fascial layer covering the vertebral column and associated muscles; forms posterior wall of the danger space.

Alar fascia

Thin fascia forming the posterior boundary of the retropharyngeal space and anterior boundary of the danger space.

Cervical lordosis

Normal anterior curvature of the cervical spine; loss or straightening may indicate spasm, trauma, or infection.

Straightened lordosis

Reduced cervical curvature, often secondary to muscle spasm, pain, hemorrhage, or retropharyngeal abscess.

Soft-tissue window (CT)

CT display setting optimized for visualizing muscles, fat, fluid, and other soft tissues rather than bone.

Sagittal plane

Imaging plane dividing the body into left and right portions; primary view for assessing cervical alignment and prevertebral tissues.

Axial plane

Transverse imaging plane dividing the body into superior and inferior parts; provides level-specific detail of vertebral anatomy.

Coronal plane

Imaging plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts; available on CT and MRI but not on standard cervical radiographs.

Open-mouth (odontoid) view

Special cervical radiograph with the mouth open to visualize the C1–C2 articulation and dens.

T1-weighted MRI

MRI sequence in which fat is bright and water/edema is dark; useful for anatomical detail and marrow evaluation.

T2-weighted MRI

MRI sequence in which water, CSF, edema, and pus appear bright; highlights fluid, inflammation, and pathology.

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA)

Collection of pus in the retropharyngeal space, often arising from tonsillar or pharyngeal infection; can obstruct airway and may require drainage.

Complications of RPA

Possible outcomes include airway compromise, jugular vein thrombosis, carotid artery pseudoaneurysm, and mediastinitis.

CT without contrast

Computed tomography performed without iodinated contrast, used when contrast is contraindicated (e.g., acute renal failure).

Vertebral counting

Process of identifying and numbering cervical vertebrae and disc spaces to accurately localize pathology on imaging.

IV antibiotics

Intravenous antimicrobial therapy; first-line treatment for deep-neck infections such as retropharyngeal abscess.

Sagittal spinal lines

Collective term for the anterior vertebral, posterior vertebral, and spinolaminar lines used to assess cervical alignment.

Degenerative disk disease (DDD)

Loss of intervertebral disk height and hydration seen on imaging, often contributing to neck pain.

Traumatic cervical injury

Damage to cervical bones or ligaments; CT best for fractures, MRI best for spinal cord evaluation.

Fluoroscopy-guided lumbar puncture

Use of real-time X-ray to guide needle placement into the subarachnoid space for CSF sampling or therapy.

Contrast-enhanced CT

CT performed after intravenous iodinated contrast injection to better delineate vessels, abscess walls, and other soft-tissue pathology.

Spinal cord

Neural tissue extending from the brainstem through the vertebral canal; MRI is the modality of choice for assessing edema, compression, or injury.