Introduction

This book is a detailed guide to image interpretation in patients with spine and spinal cord tumors that will enable clinicians and residents to improve their diagnostic abilities.

Basic Concepts

The book opens by introducing basic concepts in the imaging of spinal tumors, namely the compartmental approach and the histologic basis for the different imaging appearances. These concepts are explained with the aid of representative cases and schematic illustrations.

Training Step

The second part of the book represents a training step in which various spinal tumors are described in detail, focusing on the imaging findings. Representative cases are presented with radiographic, CT, and MR images; in addition, schematic illustrations and pathologic or operative images are included in selected cases.

Practice Step

The third part is a practice step describing tips for correct imaging diagnosis. Individual chapters in this part focus on incidence-, age-, location-, and imaging pattern-based approaches to bone, extradural, intradural extramedullary, intramedullary, and pediatric spinal tumors.

The presented cases will enhance the reader’s understanding of the different tumor patterns and assist in solving diagnostic problems that may be encountered in daily practice.