Diagnostic Imaging of the Spine – Cervical Focus

Vocabulary flashcards covering key anatomical spaces, imaging planes, modalities, pathologies, and radiographic lines discussed in the cervical spine diagnostic imaging lecture.

Anterior vertebral line

Radiographic line drawn along the anterior borders of the vertebral bodies; used to assess cervical spine alignment.

Posterior vertebral line

Line traced down the posterior borders of the vertebral bodies on a lateral view to evaluate alignment.

Spinolaminar line

Line connecting the junctions of laminae and spinous processes; disruption suggests posterior element injury.

Posterior spinous line

Line joining the tips of cervical spinous processes; helps detect alignment abnormalities.

Prevertebral soft tissue

Soft tissues anterior to the cervical vertebral bodies whose abnormal thickening may indicate hematoma, infection, or edema.

Retropharyngeal space

Potential space between the buccopharyngeal fascia and alar fascia; common site for deep-neck abscesses.

Prevertebral space

Space between the alar fascia and prevertebral fascia, extending into the mediastinum; infection here can spread to the ‘danger space.’

Danger space

Deep neck space extending from the skull base to diaphragm behind the alar fascia; allows downward spread of infection into the mediastinum.

Straightened (loss of) cervical lordosis

Reduction of normal cervical curvature, often due to muscle spasm, trauma, or deep-neck infection.

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA)

Collection of pus in the retropharyngeal space, usually arising from tonsillar/pharyngeal infection; can compromise airway and require ENT intervention.

Soft-tissue window (CT)

Computed-tomography display setting optimized to visualize soft tissues rather than bone.

T1-weighted MRI

Magnetic-resonance sequence where water/edema appears dark and fat appears bright; useful for anatomy.

T2-weighted MRI

MRI sequence where water, CSF, edema, and pus appear bright, aiding detection of pathology.

Sagittal plane

Imaging plane dividing the body into right and left; primary view for evaluating spinal alignment and prevertebral thickening.

Axial plane

Transverse imaging plane providing cross-sectional views; available on CT/MRI but not on plain radiographs.

Coronal plane

Vertical imaging plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections; available on CT/MRI for spine assessment.

Open-mouth (odontoid) view

Special cervical X-ray projection centered on C2 to visualize the dens and lateral masses of C1.

Muscle spasm

Involuntary muscle contraction that can straighten cervical lordosis on imaging.

Trismus

Limited mouth opening; in the presented case, a clinical clue to deep-neck infection.

Alignment (cervical spine)

Relationship of vertebral lines on imaging; disruption suggests fracture, ligamentous injury, or subluxation.

CT without contrast

Computed tomography performed without iodine agent; chosen when contrast is contraindicated (e.g., acute renal failure).

IV antibiotics

Intravenous antimicrobial therapy required for treating retropharyngeal abscess.

Spinal cord injury (MRI)

MRI is the modality of choice to evaluate cord edema, contusion, or transection.

Degenerative disk disease (DDD)

Age-related or pathologic loss of intervertebral disk height and hydration visible on spine imaging.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)

Surgical procedure whose hardware placement is commonly verified by postoperative X-ray.

Fluoroscopy

Real-time X-ray imaging technique used during spinal procedures such as lumbar puncture.

Malignancy changes (spine imaging)

Bone destruction, soft-tissue mass, or pathologic fracture detected on X-ray, CT, or MRI.