Postoperative MR Findings of the Anterior Cervical Fusion

Jin, Uk; Choi, Woo Suk; Oh, Joo Hyeong; Kim, Eui Jong; Yoon, Yup

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to describe the postopertive MRI findings with contrast enhancement following anterior cervical fusion(ACF).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirteen patients after anterior cervical fusionsfor disc herniation or traumatic injury were studied with MRI 1 month to 10 months after operation. MRI findings were analysed with attention to the remained vertebral body, disc material, retropharyngeal soft tissue, grafted bone fragment, and biological orthopedic prosthesis(BOP).
RESULTS
In 8/13 cases(62%), enhancement of the retropharyngeal soft tissue was seen with good demarcation between soft tissue and surrounding vertebra or disc.In 9/13 cases(69%), grafted bone or BOP was well defined by intersurface with low signal intensity. In 4 cases ofACF with bone graft, 2 cases(50%) showed heterogeneous or homogeneous enhancement of grafted bone fragments. Remained vertebral bodies and discs showed enhancements in 8/13 cases(62%).
CONCLUSION
Postoperative MR findings after ACF included good margination of enhanced retropharyngeal soft tissue, grafted bone, and remained vertebral bodies/discs. The MRI could be a useful study to differentiate findings after ACF from posoperative inflammations such as spondylitis or discitis, and be a good imaging modality for follow up of grafted bony fragment or BOP.