Differentiating between Traumatic Pathology and Congenital Variant: A Case Report of Butterfly Vertebra.
10.4055/cios.2015.7.3.406
- Author:
Orestis KARARGYRIS
1
;
Kalliopi LAMPROPOULOU-ADAMIDOU
;
Lampros Guiseppe MORASSI
;
Ioannis P STATHOPOULOS
;
Sofia N CHATZIIOANNOU
;
Spyros G PNEUMATICOS
Author Information
1. Third Orthopaedic Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, KAT General Hospital, Athens, Greece. kilampropoulou@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Butterfly vertebra;
Vertebral anomalies;
Congenital defect;
Congenital anomalies;
Congenital malformation
- MeSH:
Accidental Falls;
Adult;
Female;
Humans;
Low Back Pain;
Lumbar Vertebrae/*abnormalities/pathology/radiography;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
2015;7(3):406-409
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Butterfly vertebra is a rare congenital malformation of the spine, which is usually reported in the literature as an isolated finding. We describe a 40-year-old woman that presented to our emergency department with back pain and sciatica. Initial radiological evaluation revealed an incidental finding of a L4 butterfly vertebra in the anteroposterior and lateral view radiographs. The patient presented with no neurological deficit. This rare congenital anomaly is usually asymptomatic, and awareness of its non-traumatic nature is critical in order to establish a correct diagnosis. Further evaluation of the patient is necessary to exclude pathologic fracture, infection, or associated vertebral anomalies and syndromes, such as Alagille, Jarcho-Levin, Crouzon, and Pfeiffer syndromes. Furthermore, in the emergency setting, awareness of this entity is needed so that a correct diagnosis can be established.
