RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Mass Effect in the Thoracic Spine from Remnant Bone Wax: An MR Imaging Pitfall
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 844
OP 846
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A1830
VO 31
IS 5
A1 Stein, J.M.
A1 Eskey, C.J.
A1 Mamourian, A.C.
YR 2010
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/31/5/844.abstract
AB SUMMARY: Bone wax used in neurosurgical procedures is a rare cause of complications after surgery. We present a patient who developed paraplegia following thoracic spine surgery. A subsequent MR imaging study demonstrated a signal void that resembled postoperative air but appeared to cause cord compression and proved after a second surgery to represent bone wax. Recognizing the MR imaging and CT characteristics of bone wax is important to prevent mistaking it for residual air in postoperative imaging.