MRI of the Rheumatic Spine

Inflammatory pathology of the spine is an underestimated, but widespread condition among the population. This atlas shares essential information and case studies on key aspects of MRI for rheumatic inflammatory lesions of the osteoarticular structures of the spine, offering radiologists and clinicians a valuable guide to the management of patients with inflammatory back pain. In particular, this richly illustrated and comprehensive case-based atlas documents the MR findings observed in seronegative spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, providing guidelines on selecting the appropriate imaging protocol.

The book is divided into two main parts, the first of which describes the general, clinical and radiological aspects of both spondyloarthritis and, as a new entry in the second edition, rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine. The second part then presents cases of spondylitis; discitis; facet joint and costovertebral osteoarthritis; sacroiliitis and rheumatoid arthritis of the atlanto-axial joint, including concise clinical and radiological information and a wealth of high-resolution images.

The idea for a second edition of this book stemmed, on the one hand, from the global response to the first edition, and on the other, from a desire to expand the content to include wider illustrations and to address the clinically and socially relevant topic of the inflammatory pathology of the spine in more depth. The second edition offers a comprehensive guide to MRI of inflammatory diseases of the spine, facilitating an early diagnosis, which has become essential with the advent of new effective but expensive treatments with TNF inhibitors. Thanks to its 'case-based' structure, the book offers an easy-to-use but thorough handbook for radiologists, neuroradiologists, rheumatologists, orthopedists and physiatrists, as well as students.

Dr. Paola D'Aprile graduated from the University of Bari, Italy, and subsequently specialized in Neurology and Radiology. She is currently Director of the Department of Radiology at San Paolo Hospital, Bari. She has participated in numerous national and international scientific conferences as a speaker, and is organizer-president of various courses and conferences on Neuroradiology. Dr. D'Aprile has authored more than 200 scientific publications in national and international journals. In recent years she has developed a particular interest in MRI of the spine, especially in the degenerative and rheumatic pathology of the vertebral column.

Dr. Alfredo Tarantino graduated from the University of Bari, Italy, and subsequently specialized in Neurology and Radiology. Since 2001 he has worked at the Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, San Paolo Hospital, Bari. In addition, he served as a lecturer for various training courses in Neuroradiology. He has participated as a speaker at various conferences in the field of Neuroradiology. In the last ten years he has developed a particular interest in MRI of degenerative and rheumatic diseases of the spine. He is the author of numerous publications in national and international journals in the field of Neuroradiology.