Butterfly Vertebra: A Retrospective Study of 30 Patients.

BACKGROUND

Butterfly vertebra (BV) is a rare congenital spinal anomaly for which there is a paucity of large-scale retrospective studies and established guidelines for treatment. The objective of this study was to elucidate the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and therapeutic approaches for BV.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 30 patients diagnosed with BV at our hospital from 2009 to 2023, examining clinical data, imaging findings, and clinical interventions.

RESULTS

The analysis comprised a cohort of 30 patients, consisting of 15 males and 15 females, with a mean age of 27.63 ± 19.84 years. Imaging studies indicated that the majority of vertebral bodies affected by BV were single-segmented (63.3%, 19/30) and less commonly multi-segmented (36.7%, 11/30). These findings frequently coexisted with other medical conditions, most notably spinal scoliosis (76.7%, 23/30). Furthermore, the study identified a range of spinal abnormalities among patients, including hemivertebral deformity (30.0%, 9/30), spinal cleft (10.0%, 3/30), lumbar disc protrusion or herniation (10.0%, 3/30), vertebral slippage (10.0%, 3/30), thoracic kyphosis deformity (6.67%, 2/30), vertebral fusion deformity (6.67%, 2/30), compressive fractures (3.3%, 1/30), and vertebral developmental anomalies (3.3%, 1/30). Clinical intervention resulted in symptom relief for 23 nonsurgical patients through lifestyle modifications, analgesic use, and physical therapy. Seven surgical patients underwent appropriate surgical procedures, leading to satisfaction and adherence to regular postoperative follow-up appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

BV is a rare vertebral anomaly that can be easily misdiagnosed due to its similarity to other diseases. Consequently, it is imperative to enhance vigilance in the differential diagnosis process in order to promptly recognize BV. Furthermore, in cases where patients present with additional associated radiographic findings, a thorough evaluation is typically warranted and timely measures should be taken for treatment.