MRI of the neonatal and paediatric spine and spinal canal

Today several modalities for imaging the spine, the spinal canal and the spinal cord are available. Since children represent one of the most vulnerable patient groups, care has to be taken and imaging assessment should start always with less invasive procedures. Thus, in neonates and infants ultrasound should be used as first line imaging procedure due to their unique features of more cartilaginous parts of the yet non-ossified bones. Beyond this age group Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) represents the modality of choice for radiological assessment of the spine, the spinal canal and the spinal cord.The purpose of this review is to present MRI and common MRI findings of typical diseases in children—ranging from congenital to acquired conditions. In addition, general imaging details will be given as well as a brief embryological description of the spine and spinal canal.