Vertebral body osteonecrosis without vertebral collapse.

STUDY

DESIGN

A case of idiopathic focal vertebral body osteonecrosis without vertebral collapse is reported.

OBJECTIVES

To report a rare case of focal vertebral osteonecrosis and to clarify the features of imaging studies.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are no previous reports describing focal vertebral body necrosis without collapse in the literature.

METHODS

A case report and literature review are presented.

RESULTS

Imaging studies demonstrated: 1) sclerotic change on computed tomography scan; 2) low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2 with clear margin, and no gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging; and 3) no uptake on bone scan. Histologic examination revealed empty lacunas, fatty necrosis with vacuolar degeneration, and cell debris compatible with bone marrow necrosis.

CONCLUSION

Vertebral body osteonecrosis must be considered a possible diagnosis of patients presenting with low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2 with clear margin, and no gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging.