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Lumbar Spine Fusion and Stabilization: Hardware, Techniques, and Imaging Appearances¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (E.E.R., L.J.K.) and Orthopaedic Surgery (L.J.T., E.M.D., J.M.H.), Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Tremona Road, Mailpoint 53, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, England. Presented as an education exhibit at the 2005 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received December 19, 2006; revision requested February 16, 2007, and received April 10; accepted April 17. All authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to L.J.K. (e-mail: leonard.king{at}suht.swest.nhs.uk).

Stabilization and fusion of the lumbar spine may be performed by using various anterior and posterior surgical techniques and a wide range of devices, including screws, spinal wires, artificial ligaments, vertebral cages, and artificial disks. Because spinal procedures are increasingly common, such devices are seen more and more often in everyday radiologic practice. For evaluation of the postoperative spine, radiography is the modality most commonly used. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be useful alternatives, but MR imaging of the postoperative spine is vulnerable to metal-induced artifacts. For an accurate postoperative assessment of spinal instrumentation and of any complications, it is important that radiologists be familiar with the normal imaging appearances of the lumbar spine after stabilization, fusion, and disk replacement with various techniques and devices.

© RSNA, 2007