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Oppenheimer ossicle

Case contributed by Ammar Ashraf
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Low back pain for 10 days after fall from three meters height.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
ct

A smooth well-corticated bone fragment is seen in relation to the left inferior articular process of 1st lumbar vertebra which is likely an accessory ossicle (Oppenheimer ossicle). Alignment of the lumbar spine is intact. No fracture or dislocation is seen. No significant paravertebral soft tissue abnormality is seen.

Annotated image

Oppenheimer's ossicle (open red arrows).

Case Discussion

Oppenheimer ossicle is an accessory ossicle, seen commonly along the inferior articular process of the lumbar spine. It is usually asymptomatic and found as an incidental finding. It should not be confused with the pars interarticularis fracture.

Case courtesy of Dr. Ahmed Eid.

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