Thoracic & Lumbar Vertebral Anomalies Flashcards
What is the diagnosis?
Congenital fusion/block
What is the diagnosis?
Congenital fusion/block
What is a butterfly vertebrae?
Two lateral hemivertebrae at the same level
What is a hemivertebrae?
Half of a vertebrae
What is the diagnosis?
Lateral hemivertebrae
What is the diagnosis?
Butterfly vertebrae
How can you differentiate a burst fracture from a butterfly vertebrae?
Burst Fx would have posterior elements destroyed & not smooth well rounded corticated margins
What 2 diagnoses is a butterfly vertebrae often associated with?
Kyphoscoliosis
Klippel Feil
What are the 3 types of hemivertebrae?
Lateral
Dorsal
Ventral
(Must be specific)
Ventral hemivertebrae are associated with what abnormal spinal curve?
Angular lordosis
Dorsal hemivertebrae are associated with what abnormal spinal curve?
Angular kyphosis
What is the most common type of hemivertebrae?
Lateral
Lateral hemivertebrae are associated with what abnormal spinal curve?
High curve scoliosis
What is the diagnosis?
Butterfly vertebra
What is the diagnosis?
Dorsal hemivertebra
What is the diagnosis?
Ventral hemivertebra
What is the term for multiple hemivertebrae?
Scrambled spine syndrome
What are 2 common radiographic varieties/signs of lateral hemivertebrae?
- 1 vertebra w/ 3 pedicles
- Y or V shaped disc
What is the diagnosis?
Lateral hemivertebra
(1 vertebra w/ 3 pedicles)
What are Schmorl nodes?
Intravertebral disc herniation through a weak point in the endplate
Describe the appearance of Schmorl nodes.
Sharp indentation of vertebral endplate
When do Schmorl nodes occur?
- MC during pubescent growth (adolescents)
- can be traumatic
When would Schmorl nodes be painful?
If acute/traumatic
(No pain if chronic)
What is a Hahn venous cleft?
Horizontal linear lucencies in the vertebral bodies
(Normal, not a patho Fx)
What does the Hahn venous cleft represent?
Passage of basivertebral vein or Batson’s venous plexus
What is the diagnosis?
Schmorl nodes
What is the diagnosis?
Schmorl nodes
What is the diagnosis?
Hahn venous cleft
What is a limbus bone?
Herniated nuclear material separates a portion of the ring apophysis and heals non-union creating a small, triangular fragment
(Variant of Schmorl nodes)
What are the 3 types of limbus bones?
Anterior (MC)
Lateral
Posterior
What is the clinical significance of posterior limbus bones?
Central stenosis
What is the diagnosis?
Limbus bone
What is the diagnosis?
Nuclear impression
What is the diagnosis?
Limbus bone
What is an Oppenheimer ossicle?
Un-united ossicles of the articular process tips
What are the 3 forms of Oppenheimer ossicles?
Round
Oval
Triangular
What sign is visible on an AP lumbar spine radiograph of nuclear impressions?
Cupids bow sign/deformity
What is the diagnosis?
Oppenheimer ossicle
What sign is this?
Cupids bow sign
What is the diagnosis?
Oppenheimer ossicle
What is congenital pedicle agenesis?
Failure of ossification within the neural arch
What is on your DDx list for a missing pedicle?
- Agenesis (most likely)
- Metastatic disease (most concerning)
What are the radiographic findings of pedicle agenesis?
Stress hypertrophy of contralateral pedicle, or sometimes pedicles above and below the segment
You notice your 18-year-old patient is missing a pedicle on x-ray, and the pedicle on the other side looks larger than normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
congenital pedicle agenesis
(unlikely to be mets in younger pt)
You notice your 18-year-old patient is missing a pedicle on x-ray, and the pedicle on the other side looks larger than normal. What is your next step?
compare with previous imaging if available
(MRI not necessary for young pt.)
You notice your 53-year-old patient with a history of colon adenocarcinoma is missing a pedicle on x-ray, and the pedicle on the other side looks normal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Metastasis
You notice your 53-year-old patient with a history of colon adenocarcinoma is missing a pedicle on x-ray, and the pedicle on the other side looks larger than normal. What is your next step?
MRI (or bone scan) to R/o mets
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Congenital pedicle agenesis
70-year old female presents with a breast lump and back pain, and no history of malignancy. What is the likely diagnosis?
Metastasis
70-year old female presents with a breast lump and back pain, and no history of malignancy. What is the likely diagnosis?
Metastasis
What is the diagnosis, including spinal level?
SBO at S1
What is the diagnosis, including spinal level?
SBO at L5
What is the diagnosis?
SBO (T2-T3)
How common are L/S transitional vertebrae (LSTV)?
4-30% of population
What is the clinical significance of a LSTV?
concern for DJD or IVD herniation above
Your patient with a LSTV presents with low back pain. What is the diagnosis?
Bertolotti Syndrome
What radiographic views are best to see LSTV?
Ferguson (AP angulated LS spot)
What is the name of the classification system for LSTV?
Castellvi classification
What does “spatulation” mean regarding LSTV?
TP is >19mm in height
What does castellvi 1 classification describe?
Spatulation without articulation
What does castellvi 2 classification describe?
Spatulation with articulation
What does castellvi 3 classification describe?
Complete fusion
What does castellvi 4 classification describe?
Combined fusion with accessory joint
What does the A or B mean in Castellvi classification?
A = unilateral
B = bilateral
What is a LSTV Type 1A?
Unilateral spatulation
What is a LSTV Type 1B?
Bilateral spatulation
What is a LSTV Type 2A?
Spatulation with unilateral articulation
What is a LSTV Type 2B?
Spatulation with bilateral articulation
What is a LSTV Type 3A?
Unilateral fusion
What is a LSTV Type 3B?
Bilateral fusion
How can you tell the difference between congenital fusion and LSTV on a radiograph?
LSTV has hypoplastic disc but no wasp waist deformity
Which type of LSTV is considered a true synovial joint?
LSTV type 2A
What is the clinical significance of a LSTV type 2A?
^incidence of disc herniation at disc above
Where would pain be located in a symptomatic patient with a LSTV type 2A?
accessory joint or contralateral facet
Patient presents with low back pain. What is the diagnosis?
Bertolotti syndrome
(LSTV type 2A + pain)
What is the diagnosis?
LSTV type 2B
What is the diagnosis?
LSTV type 3A
What is the diagnosis?
LSTV type 1A
What is facet tropism?
Asymmetrical orientation of facets, where one is more coronal, and one is more sagittal
What modality is best to view facet tropism?
CT or MRI
What modality is used?
CT
What is the clinical significance of facet tropism?
Strongly debated (none)
What is clasp knife syndrome?
SBO at S1 + megaspinous at L5
What soft tissue is implicated in clasp knife syndrome?
Thecal sac is compressed in extension
What radiographic view should never be used to diagnose clasp knife syndrome?
Ferguson view
What is the diagnosis?
Clasp knife deformity
(Syndrome if pain associated)
What is the diagnosis?
Agenesis of articular process