Neuroradiology

Osteophyte, spinal

very common outgrowth or excrescence of bone, mainly related to age. In degenerative diseases of the spine they may occur at the attachment site of fibres of the annulus fibrosus and at the uncovertebral joints. Anterior osteophytes are usually asymptomatic; only in the cervical spine when they are very large may they produce dysphagia. Posterior osteophytes may cause myelopathy while lateral osteophytes and hypertrophy of the uncovertebral joints reduce the diameter of the neural foramen and produce radiculopathy.

Plain films clearly show the bony anomaly mainly in lateral and oblique projections; CT axial slices better show the lateral development and relationship with the neural structures. Also, see osteophyte.

GS