MR-IMAGING EVALUATION OF THE SPINE WITH TITANIUM-ALLOY PEDICULAR SCREW FIXATION

We studied the cases of 60 patients who underwent magnetic resonance ( MR) imaging evaluation after fixation with the titanium alloy pedicula r screw system. Spine stabilization was required in the thoracic and l umbar region for various spinal disorders. The images were evaluated f or the spinal and adjacent tissues. These pedicular screw systems were imaged safely and caused no particular clinical problems, The localiz ed signal void artifacts were seen around the implants. This artifact did not interfere with the diagnosis for another disease. The spinal c ord and dura mater appeared in midsagittal and in axial images except for regions lying close to the implants. After surgery MR imaging reve aled the decompressed or the deformed spinal cord. However, the progno sis of spinal disorder could not be revealed by the intensity grade of MR imaging because of the distortion in the spinal cord.