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Wedge compression fracture

Case contributed by Dalia Ibrahim
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

History of trauma, back pain

Patient Data

Age: 30-35 years
Gender: Female
mri

Wedge compression fracture of L1 vertebra (about 40% anterior height reduction), associated with diffuse marrow edema signal,

No retropulsed bone fragments. 

Intact posterior column.

Reduced signal of L1/2 intervertebral disc.

L2/3 mild dorsal annular disc bulge.

Case Discussion

Wedged compression fractures

They are the most common type of lumbar fractures.

Isolated failure of the anterior column. Wedge-shaped vertebral body.

Mechanism of injury: hyperflexion and axial load.

These fracture are rarely associated with neural injury.

The main differential is Burst fracture (fracture of the anterior and middle columns with or without posterior column fracture, usually associated with neural injury)

The importance of differentiating compression from burst fractures lies in the higher frequency of neurological deficits associated with the latter.

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