Title: Imaging assessment of vertebral burst fracture
Abstract: Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of radiography, CT and MRI in diagnosis of vertebral burst fracture.Methods 51 patients with vertebral burst fracture were evaluated with X- ray, CT and MRI, including 3 cases in cervical vertebra, 18 cases in thoracic vertebra, and 30 cases in lumbar vertebra. The imaging features were comparatively studied. Results Radiography showed decreased height of the vertebral body, increased antero- posterior diameter and the transverse diameter, and/or the widened inter- pedicle distance, the inter- spinous distance, as well as the bony fragment inserted into the vertebral canal in 28 cases(54.90% ). X- ray findings similar to the compression fracture were revealed in 20 cases(39.21% ).And missed diagnosis was made in 3 cases (5.88% ). CT clearly demonstrated the vertebral body vertically or transversely burst crack in 49 cases (96.07% ); bony fragment inserted into the vertebral canal and narrowed vertebral canal in 35 cases(68.62% );fracture of spinal appendix in 22 cases(43.14% ).Meanwhile MRI showed abnormal signals within the spinal cord in 35 cases (68.62% ), injured intervertebral disk in 29 cases(56.86% ), extradural hematoma in 12 cases(23.52% ) and torn posterior longitudinal ligament in 6 cases(11.76% ).Conclusions Radiography is the routine examination, while with limited diagnostic value in vertebral burst fracture. These patients who have nervous symptoms with simple compression fracture or unremarkable on X- ray should receive the CT or MRI examination. CT is better than MRI in demonstrating the fracture and the displaced bony fragment, while MRI is superior to CT in showing nervous injuries. CT and MRI will provide comprehensive information guiding clinical treatment of vertebral burst fracture.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot