Presentation
The patient had been experiencing low back pain for two months.
Patient Data
Increased signal intensity from marrow edema in the pedicles and pars interarticularis of L3 bilaterally with thin, hypointense fracture lines within both L3 pedicles that begin at the medial and superior cortical borders and completely traverse the body of the pedicles. There is associated edema of adjacent soft tissues. A fracture line with marrow edema is also present in the right superior articular process of L3. Lumbar alignment is normal.
Case Discussion
Pedicle stress fracture is a common cause of back pain under 18 years of age, more common in males, and often an isolated lesion 1. Spondylolysis and pedicle injury were more frequent in males. Increased lordosis was more frequent in females 1. The pedicles are the second weakest structure within the vertebrae after the pars interarticularis 2..
Radiographer TSRM Pasquale Casaburi, TSRM Nunzio Bianco
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