Deck 7: Radiologic Evaluation of the Cervical Spine

Question 1

Foraminal encroachment in the cervical spine would most likely result in which of the following symptoms?

A) Radiating arm pain
B) Cauda equina
C) Loss of proprioception
D) Neck stiffness

Answer 1

Radiating arm pain

Question 2

What radiographic view is used to screen for fracture or dislocation in the cervical spine?

A) Lateral flexion-extension view
B) Anteroposterior upper cervical spine view
C) Anteroposterior lower cervical spine view
D) Cross-table lateral view

Answer 2

Cross-table lateral view

Question 3

Degenerative disk disease is seen on the lateral radiograph as a decrease in disk space height. On MRI it is characterized by:

A) Ossified discs
B) Dehydrated discs
C) High signal intensity
D) Inflammation of disks

Answer 3

Dehydrated discs

Question 4

The hallmarks of degenerative joint disease in the cervical spine include decreased joint space, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophytosis of the:

A) Intervertebral disks
B) Vertebral bodies
C) Facet joints
D) Pedicles

Question 5

-Refer to the figure. Please identify the following view:

A) Anteroposterior
B) AP open mouth
C) AP lower cervical spine
D) Lateral

Question 6

-Refer to the figure. What is most significant to identify on this view?

A) Position of the mandible
B) The C1-C2 disc space
C) Symmetry of the C1-C2 articulation
D) Cervical lordosis

Question 7

-Refer to the figure. What plane is this CT of the cervical spine?

A) Lateral
B) Sagittal
C) Coronal
D) Axial

Question 8

-Refer to the figure. The spinal canal is visible in its full anteroposterior diameter. Why is this possible?

A) This slice is reformatted at the midline
B) Bony pedicles and lamina are not well visualized on CT
C) The spinal cord has a greater density than the spinal canal
D) The spinal canal is only visible on an axial view.

Question 9

-Refer to the figure. This image is made in what plane?

A) Axial
B) Coronal
C) Sagittal
D) Oblique

Question 10

-Refer to the figure. The anterolisthesis of C6 on C7 has resulted in abnormal compression of the:

A) Spinal cord
B) Spinal nerve root
C) Intervertebral disk
D) Vertebral body