Congenital Anomolies- Lumbar/Thoracic

Question 1

Hahns clefts

Answer 1

vascular channels in central portion of VB in lateral views

Question 2

Nuclear immpressions

Answer 2

smooth and undulating endplate usually in inf endplate and can also be seen in frontal view (cupids bow)

Question 3

Schmorals node

Answer 3

Nucleus pulposus herniates through endplate

no contraindications

Question 4

Limbus bone (does it cause symptoms)

Answer 4

herniation of NP thru endplate
will look like a smooth triangle with nice cortices
-if it occurs post it may cause symptoms similar to that of a herniation

Question 5

what is spina bifida occulta (who is it more common in, what is the more serious version)

Answer 5

lamina dont meet at spinous process

• more common in males
• L5 and S1 are the most common sites

Question 6

what is knife clasp deformity (does it cause symptoms)

Answer 6

SBO of s1 with englargemnt of L5 spinous process

-may cause pain w extension

Question 7

translational vert (what is the most common area)

Answer 7

l5 may have characteristics of S1 (vice versa)

most commin in lumbosacral

Question 8

Characteristics of spatulated TVP, what are you predisposed to

Answer 8

> = 19mm

• can be unilaterak/bilateral
• usually more motion @ disk above TLSV (predisposed to DDD)

Question 9

congenital abscence of pedicle (and how to differentiate from tumor)

Answer 9

• will see winking owl sign

- if other pedical at same level is larger then souronding segments it is likely congenital (wolfs law)

Question 10

what do you see in non ossification of TVPs

Answer 10

• ossicles will form @ secondary ossification centers

- if congenital it will be round will smooth cortices

Question 11

congenital block vert- where is it most common, and how can u tell its congenital

Answer 11

-failure of segmentation
-most common @ c5-6, C2-3, t12/l1, l4-5
will have wasp waist

Question 12

how can you tell if its an aquired block vert

Answer 12

• no wasp waist

- ant vert bodies OR post facet fisued (if both are fused its prob congenital)

Question 13

butterfly vert

Answer 13

failure of lat ossification centers of VB to unite

Question 14

Hemivertebra- where is it most common and what are the two types

Answer 14

most common in T/L region

incarcerated- hemi is fused to adjacent segment
nonincarcerated- disk space intersposed, fully moveable segment