Jerome J. Sheldon

Computed tomography of the lower lumbar vertebral column. Normal anatomy and the stenotic canal.

Computed tomography (CT) was used to obtain images of the vertebrae and spinal canal. The normal CT anatomy of the lower spinal canal is demonstrated. Examples of spinal stenosis caused by degenerative spondylosis, post-fusion hypertrophy, and pseudospondylolisthesis are presented.

Lumbar thermography in discogenic disease.

Thermography is a simple, noninvasive outpatient procedure which can be performed on patients with clinical symptoms of a herniated disk. A positive thermogram usually indicates that an abnormality will be found by myelography. However, the myelographic findings cannot be predicted by a negative lumbar thermogram.

MRI assisted treatment planning for radiation therapy of the head and neck

Improved visualization of head and neck tumors has been demonstrated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using standard plastic radiation therapy immobilization casts and an MR positive surface marker system developed in this institution, we have utilized MRI as an adjunct to the simulation of complex radiation treatments for tumors of the head and neck. This technique includes an indirect display of field margins and/or isodose curves over selected MR images. The lack of induced artifact from the immobilization cast, improved delineation of tumor extension from normal anatomy and the ability to image in arbitrary planes without changing patient positioning favor the use of MR over CT for radiation therapy planning in the head and neck, while ensuring reproducibility of the treatment plan at subsequent therapy sessions.

Lumbar spinal stenosis. Radiographic diagnosis with special reference to transverse axial tomography

Spinal stenosis due to malalignment and/or hypertrophy of the bony margins of the spinal canal is a recognized cause of cauda equina compression and nerve root entrapment. The plain lumbosacral spine roentgenograms reveal the number of lumbar vertebrae, their alignment, their interpedicular distances, the height of the intervertebral disk spaces and the presence of osteophyte formation. It correlates poorly with encroachment on the spinal canal. The transverse axial tomogram directly demonstrates a cross-section of the spinal canal and will show abnormal areas of bone encroachment usually arising from hypertrophied lamina and articular processes. These narrow the posterior portion of the spinal canal and encroach on the lateral recesses. This examination does not demonstrate soft tissue hypertrophy and the stenosis may be even greater than what is apparent due to the bony encroachment. The myelogram expresses how the narrowed spinal canal affects the dural sac and its contained cauda equina. Not infrequently there is an associated herniated disk.

Demonstration of cavernomatous transformation of the portal vein by magnetic resonance imaging.

A case of cavernomatous transformation of the portal vein demonstrated by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is reported. Correlative images on scintigraphy and ultrasound are included. As in other vascular abnormalities, MR imaging is capable of depicting the findings noninvasively.

Sensitivity of MRI in metastatic neoplasia: a case report

Serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed on a patient with metastatic lung cancer to brain. Magnetic resonance (MR) visualized two foci of intracerebral metastasis six weeks prior to CT.