Figure 2.

Imaging of a patient with modified Lifeso Stage I disease. (A) Parasagittal MRI shows abscess formation around the lateral atlantoaxial joints and B) elevation of the prevertebral musculature. (C–D) Demonstrates that the abscess does not violate the prevertebral fascia, but may track into the epidural space through the neural foramina. (E) Parasagittal T2-weighted MRI shows that the abscess preferentially involves sites with an articular surface but (F) sagittal images show no ligamentous incompetence or bony destruction. This is similarly reflected on (G) flexion and H) extension plain films.