One hundred fifty-eight magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of the spine were reviewed to assess the frequency and distribution of focal deposits with signal behavior typical of fat in the axial bone marrow. In addition, three fresh cadaveric spines were evaluated with MR imaging and subsequently sectioned for anatomic and histologic correlation. Macroscopic evaluation of the sectioned cadaveric specimens revealed well-defined, yellow areas within the bone marrow that correlated precisely with localized zones of signal intensity characteristic of fat on MR images. Histologic evaluation of these regions demonstrated typical focal fatty replacement of hematopoietic bone marrow. Their appearance was related to age and the presence of pathologic changes such as spondylitis, kyphoscoliosis, and spondylosis. Based upon these observations, focal fatty replacement of hematopoietic bone marrow appears to be a common phenomenon that should not be confused with localized disease processes.

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Previous reports have emphasized two types of osteophytes on the anterior aspects of the lumbar vertebral bodies: the common claw osteophyte and the less common but more significant traction osteophyte, which is indicative of spinal instability. To delineate the importance of the traction osteophyte, a radiographic-pathologic study was conducted. The results indicate that claw osteophytes are more frequent than traction osteophytes, that both may coexist in a single vertebral body, and that, in most cases, these osteophytes appear to represent different stages of the same pathologic process.

These observations indicate that Neoral is as safe and at least as effective as Sandimmun and have important implications for patient management given the increasing role for CyA in the treatment of severe, active RA.

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