MR Imaging and Osseous Spinal Intervention and Intervertebral Disk Intervention

Percutaneous spine intervention, a wide range of invasive spine procedures performed through a puncture hole or through a small incision not requiring soft tissue closure and with few or no skin sutures or staples, is rapidly emerging as an effective alternative to open surgery. This article describes many of the minimally invasive osseous, intervertebral disk, and spinal nerve interventions currently being performed, including both well-established procedures and procedures developed recently. A general introduction to these types of procedures is provided, along with the characteristic pre- and postprocedural MR imaging appearance related to these techniques. The article also discusses reported and theoretical complications that may arise and their respective MR imaging appearances.