Potential misinterpretation of cervical spondylosis with cord compression caused by metallic artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging of the postoperative spine.

Levitt, M; Benjamin, V; Kricheff, I I · Neurosurgery · 1990

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Tiny metallic particles produced by the contact of untempered surgical instruments with a diamond drill produce magnetic susceptibility artifacts that can both limit the diagnostic quality of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine and cause diagnostic error. A case of cervical pseudospondylosis with apparent cord compression due to such an artifact is presented. The source of these metallic particles is considered, and the nature of the susceptibility artifact is discussed.

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