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In-Depth Information
Fig. 1 Plain radiograph of a normal lumbar spine and of lumbar spondylosis. a Lateral view of a
normal lumbar spine. b Anteroposterior view of a normal lumbar spine. c Lateral view of a patient
with lumbar spondylosis. Marginal osteophyte (arrowhead) and narrowing of a facet joint (arrow)
are present. d Anteroposterior view of a patient with lumbar spondylosis. Notice the marginal
osteophytes (arrowhead) at multiple levels
with contraindications to MRI, and when establishing a
firm diagnosis is needed to
guide treatment.
As degenerative changes are common in older people and are not always
symptomatic, the interpretation of MRI results (or CT with myelogram) should be
cautious and correlated with the clinical
findings for diagnosis and further
management.
2.2 Degenerative Disk Disease
2.2.1 De
nition and Occurrence
Degenerative disk disease is a group of conditions caused by wear and tear changes
of the intervertebral disks. It is usually a part of the aging process; however, in rare
conditions, accelerated degeneration occurs, causing juvenile degenerative disk
disease.
The intervertebral disk is composed of the gelatinous nucleus pulposus in the
center, surrounded by the annulus
fibrosis, which is composed of layers of dense,
