Multiple flexion-stress vertebral end-plate fractures. An osteogenesis imperfecta presentation.

A 28-year-old woman underwent bone scintigraphy for a 7-day history of severe back pain of sudden onset. Intense linear accumulation of Tc-99m HDP was present in several lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae without vertebral body deformity. Intense uptake was also present in other thoracic vertebrae with vertebral body changes. X-rays demonstrated osteopenia and dual photon densitometry studies confirmed a significant degree of osteoporosis. Endocrine assessment identified that she and other female members of the family had osteogenesis imperfecta, Sillence type 1. This disorder should be considered in all differential diagnoses of nonobvious traumatic fractures of the vertebrae in healthy young adults.