Male, 51 years old, status post T10-L2 posterior spinal fusion and strut graft, now with loose stools. Assess for cord compression. Please note that only the lower half of the spine was imaged as the patient was unable to tolerate completion of the full exam.Findings are seen compatible with recent posterior spinal fusion from T10 through L2. Edema and fluid within the posterior subcutaneous tissues is within expected limits for the recent postoperative period.Although there is some signal loss in the operative region due to the presence of the orthopedic instruments, the area in question does appear to be at least partially visualized on at one or two slices of the T1-weighted sagittal sequence (see image 13 series 3). Within the limitations of this artifact, there is no evidence to suggest any large intracanalicular assess for significant canal compromise.
1.Evaluation is limited to the lower spine due to patient tolerance, though the operative region is fully included in the field-of-view.2.Within the limitations of artifact induced by the orthopedic instruments, which does result in some signal loss, the spinal canal is at least partially visualized through the operative region, and there is no evidence of any large intracanalicular process or significant canal compromise.