Kümmell disease

Discussion:

Kümmell disease is an eponymous name for avascular necrosis of the vertebrae.

Risk factors include:

  • osteoporosis

  • corticosteroid use

  • alcoholism

  • radiation therapy

Plain film/CT

  • shows collapse of affected vertebrae

  • an intravertebral vacuum cleft

MRI

  • the intravertebral vacuum cleft is usually seen as signal void at all sequences

  • if intravertebral fluid is present it is low T1 signal on and high T2 signal

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