Potentially Overlooked Spinal Conditions: A Baker’s Dozen from A Neurosurgeon’s Perspective

During 20 years of operative neurosurgery (including spinal reconstruction) and 15 years of medicolegal consulting experience in brain and spine matters, the author has observed that there are 13 (i.e., a baker’s dozen) spine-related conditions (Table 1) that have not infrequently been overlooked by specialists in clinical and medicolegal contexts. As such, awareness of these conditions (or lack thereof) particularly affects aspects of spinal diagnosis, aetiology, and prognostication. For brevity and clarity, the clinicoradiological hallmarks of each condition and its spinal implications, along with key literature references, are presented (listed in alphabetical order in Table 1), in conjunction with their classic imaging (Figures 1-3). The author believes that keeping these conditions at the back of one’s mind when medically working up or medicolegally assessing individuals presenting with spinal symptoms and signs can aid in diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, and in an opinion of causation