Roentgen signs of emergent spines.

A variety of disease processes may involve the axial skeleton, producing acute symptoms and signs. This discussion summarizes some of the important diseases that become apparent in this fashion. Roentgen manifestations of these disorders include abnormalities of vertebral body shap or density, loss of intervertebral disc space, formation of a paraspinal mass, abnormal curvature and subluxation, disc calcification, and pedicle destruction. Attention to these radiographic manifestations provides important clues to the underlying disease process.