Hiding in Plain Sight: Paravertebral Masses and Mimics
In the era of cross-sectional imaging, the diagnosis of neoplastic, infectious, and reactive paravertebral processes has become more straightforward. Nevertheless, because symptoms are nonspecific, initial detection may be based on chest or abdominal radiographs on which subtle changes
can provide the first clues to an underlying abnormality. Through illustrative cases, we review the normal radiographic appearance and companion cases of paravertebral pathology on both radiographs and cross-sectional imaging to highlight subtle changes in regional skeletal and soft-tissue
anatomy, which can provide the first clues to masses, traumatic injuries, and infectious and inflammatory processes.
Learning Objective: Because radiographs may be the presenting images of paraspinal processes, the radiologist must recognize subtle distortions of normal anatomy to best guide the next most appropriate imaging examination.
Learning Objective: Because radiographs may be the presenting images of paraspinal processes, the radiologist must recognize subtle distortions of normal anatomy to best guide the next most appropriate imaging examination.
Keywords: AP = anteroposterior; PA = posteroanterior
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 February 2018
- Neurographics is the peer-reviewed, quarterly educational journal of the American Society of Neuroradiology. The journal includes review articles as well as high-yield case reports that have been solicited from society meetings, including the annual meeting of the ASNR as well as the American Society of Spine Radiology, the American Society of Pediatric Neuroradiology, the American Society of Functional Neuroradiology, and the American Society of Head and Neck Radiology meetings. Unsolicited educational review articles and case reports are also accepted for review at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. Submissions focusing on a pictorial approach to educational objectives are highly encouraged. The journal is open access and available online. CME credit is offered for reading review articles and completing activity evaluations through the ASNR Education Connection website: https://www.pathlms.com/asnr
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