Multiple spinous process fractures of the thoracic vertebrae

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall off horse landing directly on back. Severe mid thoracic and upper lumbar back pain, no neurology. Mid thoracic/upper lumbar spine fractures?

Patient Data

Age: 40-year-old

Thoracic and lumbar spine Minimally displaced fractures through the spinous processes from T4 to T10. Limbus vertebra of T9. The vertebral bodies have normal alignment and height. Spinal canal and intervertebral foramina are capacious, no significant stenosis.

Patchy sclerosis and expansion of the sternum is indeterminate. The diagnostic considerations include fibrous dysplasia and Paget's disease, with aggressive pathologies not excluded. Correlation with prior imaging if available is suggested. 

Case Discussion

Isolated thoracic spinous process fractures involving multiple levels.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.