Advances in Spinal Imaging.

Considerable technical advances in spinal imaging have been made that have greatly aided diagnosis, surgical planning, treatment, and posttreatment follow-up of patients with spinal disorders. This article presents an update on the recent advances in magnetic resonance, digital, and radionuclide imaging techniques, three-dimensional computed tomography, and sonography of the spine

Chondroblastoma of the calcaneus: radiographic features with emphasis on location.

Fourteen cases of chondroblastoma of the calcaneus have been examined and the radiographic features described. Thirteen occured in males. In all but one case the location was either at the talocalcaneal articulation or adjacent to the posterior calcaneal cortex. A sclerotic margin was present in all instances. Occasionally calcifications and septations were seen

Patellar tendon rupture with underlying systemic disease.

Two patients with patellar tendon rupture and underlying systemic disease are described. One had systemic lupus erythematosus and the other had chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. There have been 13 other cases of patellar tendon rupture in patients with systemic disease reported in the literature and they are reviewed. Patellar tendon rupture has occurred spontaneously in more than one-half of the cases and has been associated with rupture of the contralateral extensor tendon mechanism in 87%. Although patellar tendon rupture almost always occurs at the tendinous insertion, on a rare occasion (as in one case described in this report), the tear may involve the main substance of the tendon, which is the part of the tendon with the greatest tensile strength. The relation between systemic disease and patellar tendon rupture is discussed and the clinical and radiographic findings are described

CT and MR appearance of cervical acrylic struts.

A patient sustained trauma to the cervical spine and underwent surgical fusion that included the use of methyl methacrylate struts. The CT and MR appearances of these acrylic struts are described