Persistence of the Notochordal Canal: MR and Plain Film Appearance

Lucy R. Christopherson, Barry M. Rabin, Danial K. Hallam and Eric J. Russell

Abstract

Summary: We report a case of an unusually prominent persistent notochordal canal involving the T12–L5 vertebrae. This rare anatomic variation was discovered as an incidental finding in a patient with lymphoma undergoing MR imaging for evaluation of back pain. MR images showed a vertically oriented canal contiguous with the intervertebral disks traversing the anterior aspect of each affected vertebral body. Plain films showed a sclerotic rimmed central channel that flared at each vertebral endplate to merge with the disk spaces.

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