MRI Thoracic Spine
Osteomyelitis
L: The abnormality of this patient is located at T6–T7 of the thoracic spine. There seems
to be no other abnormalities located in the thoracic spine.
CAT: The abnormality of T6 and T7 seems to have caused no other changes to the rest of
the thoracic vertebrae and disks. This abnormality seems to have caused some tissue
swelling and inflammation both around the aorta and the spinal canal. The abscess that is
protruding off of T6 appears to be causing some stenosis of the spinal canal.
CSB: The consistency of the abnormality above appears to be heterogeneous because it
contains both the vertebrae and disk space. There seems to be some fluid involved with
inflammation. The border of this abnormality is well defined around the vertebrae and
spinal canal. The shape of the abnormality above seems to form around the vertebral
bodies of T6 and T7 with some inflammation. Also there is an abscess circular in shape
protruding into the spinal canal.
DC: This abnormality seems to be an infection of the spine that does not affect other
parts of the body. The infection is surrounding the vertebrae, causing T6 and T7 vertebral
bodies to be compressed in height. Inflammation of the disc between T6 and T7 is shown
protruding into the spinal canal.
C: Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection of the bones. This infection is usually local or
generalized infection of the bone and bone marrow. The bacterium is often introduced
into the bone by trauma, surgery, or direct extension from a nearby infection.
Staphylococci are the most common causative agent for this infection. Osteomyelitis
affects the long bones of children and vertebrae of adults. Common signs of this infection
are increasing bone pain, tenderness, and muscle spasms.