Vertebral burst fracture

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fell from a significant height.

Patient Data

Age: 55
Gender: Male

CT Lumbar spine

ct

Burst fracture of the L2 vertebral body characterized by multiple fragmentations, diffuse loss of the vertebral height, retropulsion of fragments in the spinal canal (stenosis around 50%). There is also a fragment corroborating to he right L2/3 foramen stenosis. 

Tiny fracture lines are also observed in the posterior arch of L2 and in the right transverse process of L3. 

There is spondylolysis of L5 associated with mild (grade I) spondlyolisthesis. 

Case Discussion

This is a typical case of burst fracture after a history of fall from height. There is also in this case spondylolysis of L5 associated with mild (grade I) spondylolisthesis

 

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.