The Bottom Line: “Spinal emergencies and urgent conditions must be recognized early so that the diagnosis can be quickly confirmed and treatment can be instituted to possibly prevent permanent loss of function.” (Lavi et al)
“The American College of Radiology provides guidelines for recognition of patients presenting with myelopathy or acute low back pain (Agarwal et al) who require further evaluation for suspicion of more serious problems and contribute to appropriate imaging utilization. Spinal emergencies include spinal cord compression secondary to vertebral fracture or space occupying lesion, spinal infection or abscess, vascular or hematologic damage, severe disc herniation, and spinal stenosis.” (Lavi et al)
-Lavi et al
-Lavi et al
-Lavi et al
Lavi ES, Pal A, Bleicher D, Kang K, Sidani C. MR Imaging of the Spine: Urgent and Emergent Indications. Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2018 Dec;39(6):551-569. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2018.10.006. Epub 2018 Oct 19. PMID: 30527521. Full Text for Emory Users
Expert Panel on Neurological Imaging; Hutchins TA, Peckham M, Shah LM, Parsons MS, Agarwal V, Boulter DJ, Burns J, Cassidy RC, Davis MA, Holly LT, Hunt CH, Khan MA, Moritani T, Ortiz AO, O’Toole JE, Powers WJ, Promes SB, Reitman C, Shah VN, Singh S, Timpone VM, Corey AS. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Low Back Pain: 2021 Update. J Am Coll Radiol. 2021 Nov;18(11S):S361-S379. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2021.08.002. PMID: 34794594. Full Text for Emory Users
Expert Panel on Neurological Imaging; Agarwal V, Shah LM, Parsons MS, Boulter DJ, Cassidy RC, Hutchins TA, Jamlik-Omari Johnson, Kendi AT, Khan MA, Liebeskind DS, Moritani T, Ortiz AO, Reitman C, Shah VN, Snyder LA, Timpone VM, Corey AS. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Myelopathy: 2021 Update. J Am Coll Radiol. 2021 May;18(5S):S73-S82. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2021.01.020. PMID: 33958120. Full Text for Emory Users
The Bottom Line 