Computed tomography (CT)ĬT is the most accurate modality for assessing mineralized bone structures, including evaluation of spine fusion progression (Fig. Reasons to perform postoperative imaging include reassuring the patient about adequate healing and surgery success, identifying asymptomatic hardware migration or failure, and documenting clinical status in the medical record. Panoramic radiographs play a major role in the preoperative evaluation for the detection of scoliosis, malalignment, vertebral counting, and assessment of transitional vertebrae to ensure that the surgery occurs at the correct level, serving also as a reference for intraoperative fluoroscopy, especially to check spine levels and confirm appropriate position and location of implants. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to illustrate and discuss the more frequently used spine surgical interventions and their imaging characteristics, with an emphasis on classical decompression and fusion/stabilization procedures. It is essential to be familiar with the main types of surgical techniques and imaging characteristics of each one, including the type and correct positioning of hardware involved, to differentiate normal and abnormal postoperative appearances. In this context, there is increasing importance of the radiologist in the adequate interpretation of postoperative images, as well as in the choice of the most appropriate modality for each case, especially among radiographs, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine.

Therefore, it helps the surgeon in the appropriate management of cases. Spinal surgical procedures are becoming more common over the years, and imaging studies can be requested in the postoperative setting, such as a baseline study when implants are used, or when there is a new postoperative issue reported by the patient or even as routine surveillance.

Interpreting cervical spine x rays