Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Computed tomography of the intervertebral foramen

  • Originals
  • Published:
Neuroradiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

52 cases with pathologic lesions in the intervertebral foramen, studied with CT, are analyzed. The most frequent lesions are intraforaminal disc herniations. These are characterized by their hyperdensity in comparison to the dural sac (34 of 34 cases) and their broad contact with the intervertebral disc space (31 of 34 cases). Foraminal size and contour are usually normal. In contradistinction to disc herniations, benign tumors often show bone erosion of the pressure-type with enlargement of the foramen. Bone infiltration was seen only in malignant lesions and in the single case of Echinococcosis. Preoperative diagnosis of vascular lesions which present with foraminal enlargement is most important for the choice of the appropriate operative approach. Correct CT diagnosis of such vascular lesions is only possible with dynamic CT.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aubin ML, Jardin C, Bar D, Vignaud J (1979) Computerised tomography in 32 cases of intraspinal tumor. J Neuroradiol 6:81–92

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bonstelle CT, Vines FS (1976) Calcification in a cervical intraspinal neurilemmoma. Neuroradiology 10:231–233

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brooks BS, El Gammal T, Beveridge WD (1982) Erosion of vertebral pedicles by unusual vascular causes. Neuroradiology 23:107–112

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brugman E, Palmers Y, Staelens B (1979) Congenital absence of a pedicle in the cervical spine: a new approach with CT scan. Neuroradiology 17:121–125

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cacayorin ED, Kieffer SA (1982) Applications and limitations of computed tomography of the spine. Radiol Clin North Am 20:185–206

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carrera GF, Williams AL, Haughton VM (1980) Computed tomography in sciatica. Radiology 137:433–437

    Google Scholar 

  7. Federle MP, Moss AA, Margolin FR (1980) Role of computed tomography in patients with “Sciatica”. J Comput Assist Tomogr 4:335–341

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gado M, Patel J, Hodges FJ (1983) Lateral disk herniation into the lumbar intervertebral foramen: differential diagnosis. AJNR 4:598–600

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hollmann J, Valavanis A (1983) Beitrag der Computertomographie zur radiologischen Abklärung eines Chondroms der zervikothorakalen Wirbelsäule. RÖFO 138:440–443

    Google Scholar 

  10. Langlotz M (1981) Lumbale Myelographie mit wasserlöslichen Kontrastmitteln. Thieme, Stuttgart New York

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nakagawa H, Huang YP, Malis LI, Wolf BS (1977) Computed tomography of intraspinal and paraspinal neoplasms. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1:377–390

    Google Scholar 

  12. Nakagawa H, Malis LI, Huang YP (1980) Computed tomography of soft-tissue masses related to the spinal column. In: Post MJD (ed) Radiographic evaluation of the spine. Current advances with emphasis on computed tomography. Masson Publishing USA, New York, p 320–352

    Google Scholar 

  13. Novetsky GJ, Berlin L, Epstein AJ, Lobo N, Miller SH (1982) The extraforaminal herniated disk: detection by computed tomography. AJNR 3:653–655

    Google Scholar 

  14. Roub LW, Drayer BP (1979): Spinal computed tomography: limitations and applications. AJR 133, 267–273

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sartor K (1980): Computertomographie bei spinalen Tumoren. RÖFO 132,391–398

    Google Scholar 

  16. Schubiger O, Yasargil MG (1978) Extracranial vertebral aneurysm with neurofibromatosis. Neuroradiology 15:171–173

    Google Scholar 

  17. Schubiger O, Huber P (1982) Myelographie oder Computer-tomographie zum Nachweis lumbaler Diskushernien? In: Bessler W, Fuchs WA, Locher J, Paunier J (eds) Neue Aspekte radiologischer Diagnostik und Therapie. Huber, Bern, p 107–111

    Google Scholar 

  18. Teplick JG, Teplick SK, Goodman L, Haskin ME (1982) Pitfalls and unusual findings in computed tomography of the lumbar spine. J Comput Assist Tomogr 6:888–893

    Google Scholar 

  19. Théron J, Moret J (1978) Spinal phlebography, Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  20. Valavanis A, Schubiger O (1983) Durale Angiome im Foramen intervertebrale: Angiographische Diagnose und Embolisation. 19. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neuroradiologie, München 13.–15. Oktober 1983

  21. Williams AL, Haughton VM, Daniels DL, Thornton RS (1982) CT recognition of lateral lumbar disk herniation. AJNR 3:211–213

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Neuroradiology at the Kantonsspital Aarau, Switzerland

    O. Schubiger

  2. Section of Neuroradiology the University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland

    A. Valavanis & J. Hollmann

  3. Leitender Arzt für Neuroradiologie Kantonsspital, CH-5000, Aarau, Switzerland

    O. Schubiger

Authors
  1. O. Schubiger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Valavanis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Hollmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schubiger, O., Valavanis, A. & Hollmann, J. Computed tomography of the intervertebral foramen. Neuroradiology 26, 439–444 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00342678

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00342678

Key words

Search

Navigation