Presentation
History of trauma, back pain
Patient Data
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.