Schmorl nodes and limbus vertebrae

Case contributed by Matt Skalski
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Sciatic pain. History of minor trauma.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male

Schmorl nodes are noted anteriorly at the superior endplates of L4 and S1.

Limbus vertebrae at the anterosuperior corners of L1 and L4

The L4 vertebral body is mildly increased in AP diameter.

Mild sclerosis of the superior aspect of the L5 spinous process. 

The Schmorl's nodes at L4 and S1 are better appreciated than on plain film, and the limbus vertebrae at L1 and L4 are also still appreciated, with associated degenerative disc desiccation at those levels. The sclerosis of the L5 spinous correlates with an area of low/low signal on MR, which on subsequent imaging demonstrated progression to Baastrup syndrome two years later. 

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