Vertebral compression fracture

A compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebra. It may be due to trauma or due to a weakening of the vertebra (compare with burst fracture). This weakening is seen in patients with osteoporosis or osteogenesis imperfecta, lytic lesions from metastatic or primary tumors,[1] or infection.[2] In healthy patients, it is most often seen in individuals suffering extreme vertical shocks, such as ejecting from an ejection seat. Seen in lateral views in plain x-ray films, compression fractures of the spine characteristically appear as wedge deformities, with greater loss of height anteriorly than posteriorly and intact pedicles in the anteroposterior view.[3]

Compression fracture
Example of vertebral compression fracture.
SpecialtyOrthopedic

Signs and symptoms

Acute fractures will cause severe back pain. Compression fractures which develop gradually, such as in osteoporosis, may initially not cause any symptoms, but will later often lead to back pain and loss of height.

Diagnosis

Compression fractures are usually diagnosed on spinal radiographs, where a wedge-shaped vertebra may be visible or there may be loss of height of the vertebra. In addition, bone density measurement may be performed to evaluate for osteoporosis. When a tumor is suspected as the underlying cause, or the fracture was caused by severe trauma, CT or MRI scans may be performed.

  • Compression fracture of the fourth lumbar vertebra post falling from a height.
  • X-ray of the lumbar spine with a compression fracture of the third lumbar vertebra.
  • Compression fracture of T12

Treatment
A potential complication of a vertebral compression fracture is avascular necrosis of the vertebral body, which is called Kümmel's disease, and may appear with the intravertebral vacuum cleft sign (at white arrow in image).[4]

Conservative treatment

Surgical
  • Kyphoplasty[8] and vertebroplasty[8][9] are minimally invasive procedures that inject cement into the bone of the back that is fractured. However, the data examining the effectiveness of these procedures is mixed.[10][11]

References
  1. Weber, Kristy (February 28, 2006). "Rounds 2: Treatment of Metastatic Bone Disease". Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center.
  2. "Bone Infections". MedlinePlus. September 7, 2011.
  3. Brant, William E.; Helms, Clyde A. (2007). "Benign Compression Fracture". Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-7817-6135-2.
  4. Freedman, B. A.; Heller, J. G. (2009). "Kummel Disease: A Not-So-Rare Complication of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures". The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 22 (1): 75–78. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2009.01.080100. ISSN 1557-2625. PMID 19124637.
  5. "Jewett vs. TLSO Replies". OANDP-L on oandp.com. 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. "Calcitonin for osteoporotic fractures". Archived from the original on 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2012-09-03.
  7. Knopp, Jennifer A.; Diner, Barry M.; Blitz, Maurice; Lyritis, George P.; Rowe, Brian H. (2004). "Calcitonin for treating acute pain of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: A systematic review of randomized, controlled trials". Osteoporosis International. 16 (10): 1281–90. doi:10.1007/s00198-004-1798-8. PMID 15614441. S2CID 34208503.
  8. Taylor, Rod S.; Taylor, Rebecca J.; Fritzell, Peter (2006). "Balloon Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty for Vertebral Compression Fractures". Spine. 31 (23): 2747–55. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000244639.71656.7d. PMID 17077747. S2CID 209491.
  9. Taylor, Rod S.; Fritzell, Peter; Taylor, Rebecca J. (2007). "Balloon kyphoplasty in the management of vertebral compression fractures: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis". European Spine Journal. 16 (8): 1085–100. doi:10.1007/s00586-007-0308-z. PMC 2200787. PMID 17277923.
  10. Boonen, S.; Wahl, D. A.; Nauroy, L.; Brandi, M. L.; Bouxsein, M. L.; Goldhahn, J.; Lewiecki, E. M.; Lyritis, G. P.; et al. (2011). "Balloon kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty in the management of vertebral compression fractures". Osteoporosis International. 22 (12): 2915–34. doi:10.1007/s00198-011-1639-5. PMID 21789685. S2CID 19967779.
  11. Han, Shiliang; Wan, Shuanglin; Ning, Lei; Tong, Yongjun; Zhang, Jianfeng; Fan, Shunwu (2011). "Percutaneous vertebroplasty versus balloon kyphoplasty for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture: A meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised controlled trials". International Orthopaedics. 35 (9): 1349–58. doi:10.1007/s00264-011-1283-x. PMC 3167445. PMID 21637959.

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