“ Generic term for a completely collapsed vertebral body so that it resembles a very thin dis c. Kummel disease is post-traumatic osteonecro...
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Generic term for a completely collapsed vertebral body so that it resembles a very thin disc. Kummel disease is post-traumatic osteonecrosis, which may result in vertebra plana. In young patients, the most common causes are eosinophilic granuloma (i.e. Langerhans histiocytosis); in adults, the most common causes are tumour or osteoporosis.
PLAIN FILM
• Complete loss of height of the vertebral body
• Normal intervertebral discs
• Can recover in children
CT
• Look for intravertebral fluid or gas (‘vacuum cleft sign’)—pathognomic for osteonecrosis and at risk
of further collapse (malignancy, infection and acute injury are excluded).
Vertebra plana. Lateral thoracic spine x-ray demonstrating complete flattening of a thoracic vertebra (white arrow).
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