Butterfly vertebra

Changed by Patrick J Rock, 23 Oct 2020

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Butterfly vertebra is a type of vertebral anomaly that results from the failure of fusion of the lateral halves of the vertebral body because of persistent notochordal tissue between them.

Pathology

Associations

an anterior spina bifida, with or without an anterior meningocele
can be part of the Alagille syndrome
Jarcho-Levin syndrome

VACTERL association

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

There is widening of the affected vertebral body. The bodies above and below the butterfly vertebra adapt to the altered intervertebral discs on either side by showing concavities along the adjacent endplates.

Some bone bridging may occur across the defect which usually happens in the thoracic or lumbar segments of the spine.

+<li><a title="VACTERL association" href="/articles/vacterl-association-1">VACTERL association</a></li>

Images Changes:

Image 10 X-ray (Frontal) ( create )

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