Vertebral involvement in Paget's disease: morphological classification of CT and MR appearances

Vertebral Paget's disease produces a large panel of radiologic appearances sometimes atypical and pseudotumoral. Classical classifications of bone alterations based on pathophysiological hypotheses do not always match the imaging findings. This article will review the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of Paget's disease of the spine with special emphasis on morphological findings that differentiate Paget's disease from tumors. Combined CT and MRI analyses usually provide the diagnosis of Paget's disease.