Radiologic Evaluation of the Lateral Approach: Diagnostic and Postoperative Imaging

Ever since Sir Robert Jones demonstrated the utility of radiographs for the diagnosis of fractures,1 the quality and value of diagnostic imaging has steadily increased. The spinal surgeon and the spinal patient have in recent decades benefited from the development of imaging modalities specific for soft or hard tissue. For lateral approach spinal surgery, these modalities are critical for diagnosis preoperatively, guidance intraoperatively, and evaluation postoperatively. If a surgeon using the lateral approach is to succeed at minimizing surgical trauma to the patient and achieving an optimal clinical outcome, the surgeon must be skilled at obtaining and interpreting the appropriate diagnostic imaging. DiAGNOstiC imAGiNG