Schmorl node - acute

Case contributed by Hani M. Al Salam
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Acute upper back pain.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male
x-ray
This study is a stack
AP and
lateral
This study is a stack
AP and
lateral
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Info

Very subtle intervertebral disc calcifications are seen.

ct
This study is a stack
Axial bone
window
This study is a stack
Sagittal
bone window
This study is a stack
Coronal
bone window
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Info

Intervertebral disc calcifications are seen with interruption of the continuity of the superior endplates.

mri
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T1
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T2
This study is a stack
Sagittal
STIR
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T2
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T1 fat sat
This study is a stack
Sagittal T1
C+ fat sat
This study is a stack
Axial T1
C+ fat sat
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Info

T1 showed reduced bone marrow signal intensity of the vertebral body which appears bright on STIR images in keeping with bone marrow edema. Disc calcification with superior end-plate herniation (Schmorl node) and to a lesser extent the inferior endplate. Findings in keeping with acute Schmorl node. 

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