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Limbus vertebra

Case contributed by Wael Nemattalla
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Low back pain.

Patient Data

Age: Adult
Gender: Male
x-ray

Limbus vertebra of the anterosuperior corner of a single vertebral body in the lumbar spine (L4).

Case Discussion

Adult male with low back pain with no history of remote or recent trauma.

Limbus vertebrae result from an intrabody herniation of disc material. It can be mistaken for a fracture, infection or tumor. Interestingly it was discovered by Schmorl in 1927. Schmorl's node is intrabody herniation but usually involves posterior two-thirds of vertebral bodies; usually in males and peripheral. Misdiagnosis of limbus vertebra can cause great concern for patient trauma and further unnecessary workup.

Limbus vertebra is usually triangular and well corticated.

 Thanks for conventional imaging!!!

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