Rationale for the Use of Magnetic Resonance with Gadolinium Administration and FAT/SAT Sequences before Spinal Interventional Neuroradiology Procedures

Abstract

The role of CT scanning in presurgical planning for stabilisation surgery using metal implants is well-established. However, the advent of new interventional neuroradiology techniques like vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, ozone discolysis, periganglionic and intraforaminal infiltration of ozone and/or steroids demands more accurate diagnostic assessment of the spine both for surgical planning and during follow-up. In this study we selected 140 candidates for spinal interventional procedures studying them by magnetic resonance scanning (MR) before and after treatment using T2 and T1 fat-saturation (FAT-SAT) sequences after gadolinium administration. T2 and T1-weighted fat-saturation (FAT-SAT) sequences yielded additional information with respect to standard MR investigation of the spine, improving clinical classification and accurate recruitment of surgical candidates. Additional information obtained during follow-up after surgery proved essential in planning the most appropriate maintenance therapy for these patients.