Oppenheimer ossicle
Updates to Article Attributes
Oppenheimer ossicles are accessory ossicles associated with the facet joints found in ~4% (range 1-7%) 1 of lumbar spines.
Oppenheimer ossicles are thought to arise as a result of non-union of a secondary ossification centre of the articular process. They predominantly occur as a single, unilateral ossicle of the inferior articular processes of the lumbar spine although it can also occur at the superior articular process.
These ossicles should fuse between the ages of 17 and 25 years. They are seen in the lumbar spine, most notably at L2, L3 levels 5.
Clinical presentation
Usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging 5.
Associations
May be associated with other neural arch malformations, such as articular process hypoplasia 5.
Radiographic features
Best seen on sagittal CT and MR images and can be easily mistaken on thick axial slices.
They appear as smoothly corticated structures that may sometimes be lined by articular cartilage. The synovial space of the adjacent facet joint may communicate with the cleft between the ossicle and the articular process 5.
History and etymology
Oppenheimer nodules were first described by Albert Oppenheimer in 1942 4.
Differential diagnosis
- fracture of the articular process: an Oppenheimer ossicle will demonstrate regular, well-defined corticated margins.
-<p><strong>Oppenheimer ossicles</strong> are accessory ossicles associated with the facet joints found in ~4% (range 1-7%) <sup>1</sup> of <a href="/articles/lumbar-spine">lumbar spines</a>. </p><p>Oppenheimer ossicles are thought to arise as a result of non-union of a secondary ossification centre of the articular process. They predominantly occur as a single, unilateral ossicle of the inferior articular processes of the lumbar spine although it can also occur at the superior articular process. </p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Oppenheimer nodules were first described by <strong>Albert Oppenheimer</strong> in 1942 <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li>fracture of the articular process: an Oppenheimer ossicle will demonstrate regular, well-defined corticated margins</li></ul>- +<p><strong>Oppenheimer ossicles</strong> are accessory ossicles associated with the facet joints found in ~4% (range 1-7%) <sup>1</sup> of <a href="/articles/lumbar-spine">lumbar spines</a>. </p><p>Oppenheimer ossicles are thought to arise as a result of non-union of a secondary ossification centre of the articular process. They predominantly occur as a single, unilateral ossicle of the inferior articular processes of the lumbar spine although it can also occur at the superior articular process. </p><p>These ossicles should fuse between the ages of 17 and 25 years. They are seen in the lumbar spine, most notably at L2, L3 levels <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally on imaging <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Associations</h4><p>May be associated with other <a title="Vertebral anomalies" href="/articles/vertebral-anomalies">neural arch malformations</a>, such as articular process hypoplasia <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Best seen on sagittal CT and MR images and can be easily mistaken on thick axial slices. </p><p>They appear as smoothly corticated structures that may sometimes be lined by articular cartilage. The synovial space of the adjacent facet joint may communicate with the cleft between the ossicle and the articular process <sup>5</sup>. </p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Oppenheimer nodules were first described by <strong>Albert Oppenheimer</strong> in 1942 <sup>4</sup>.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li>fracture of the articular process: an Oppenheimer ossicle will demonstrate regular, well-defined corticated margins.</li></ul>
References changed:
Image 4 MRI (T2) ( create )
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