| Abstract [eng] |
Objective: Review the degenerative changes in the spine and their clinical significance, describe the essential mechanisms of the degenerative cascade, indicate the relevant classification systems and terminology. Also, to review the diagnostic imaging modalities in degenerative spine pathology, present the protocols and innovative modifications. The presented literature illustrate with the relevant clinical case. Materials and methods: After receiving patient‘s consent and permission to use depersonalized data (Appendix 1), a clinical case from the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Center of Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Clinics was included. Literature search was conducted through „Pubmed“ database using specific keywords. 48 publications from 2010 to 2022 were included in the literature review. Clinical case presentation: A 72-year old patient, diagnosed with chronic lumbar radiculopathy, exacerbation of the left S1 radiculopathy and chronic neuropathic pain syndrome, is presented. Imaging studies reveal multiple profound degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine, marked scoliosis with vertebral rotation. Magnetic resonance images are compared dynamically, before and after surgical treatment. Conclusions: Degenerative changes of the spine are a significant problem. They affect many people and are often associated with neck, back or nerve root pain, also can lead to the neurological complications. Degenerative spine pathology has a great medical and socio-economic significance. The degenerative cascade can encompass every structure in the spine. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most important tool for the visual assessment. Obtained images should be evaluated integrally with the symptomas and described using precise terminology and classification systems. |
