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Butterfly vertebra

Dr Andrew Dixon and Radswiki et al.

A butterfly vertebra is a type of vertebral anomaly and results from the failure of fusion of the lateral halves of the vertebral body because of persistent notochondal tissue between them.

Pathology

Associations

an anterior spina bifida, with on without a anterior meninogocoele, may be associated with a butterfly vertebra.
can be part of the Alagille syndrome

Radiographic features

Plain film

The involved vertebral body is widened, and the bodies above and below the butterfly vertebra adapt to the altered intervertebral discs on either side by showing concavities along the adjacent endplates.

Some bone bridging may occur across the defect which is usually seen in the thoracic on lumbar segments of the spine.

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References

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1. Kumar R, Guinto FC, Madewell JE et-al. The vertebral body: radiographic configurations in various congenital and acquired disorders. Radiographics. 1988;8 (3): 455-85. Radiographics (abstract) - Pubmed citation