Objective To distinguish malignant from osteoporotic acute vertebral collapses at the single location. Methods Fifteen osteoporotic and sixteen malignant vertebral collapses were studied in thirty-one patients with T1 WI,gadolinium enhanced T1 WI and T2 WI MRI. All the patients had the follow-up periods of 3 ～ 6 months or pathologic results from biopsy. Results Seven findings were suggestive of osteoporotic: 1. The compression of vertebral body was severe. 2. The lesion extended to the whole vertebral body was uncommon. 3. The location of the lesion was closed to the end plate of the vertebral body and the anterior and/or posterior of the vertebra was straight or concave.The posterior bone fragment can be seen. 4. Pedicles were normal. 5. No epidural soft tissue mass. 6. The vertebral vein was normal. 7. The bandilike or flakelike enhancement under the end plate. Another seven findings were suggestive of malignancy: 1. The compression of vertebral body was mild. 2. The lesion extended to the whole vertebral body was common. 3. The anterior and /or posterior of the vertebra cortex was convex. 4. Pedicles were involoved. 5.Epidural soft tissue mass was usually seen. 6. The vertebral vein was involved and disappeared. 7. The lesion was usually nodulus enhancement. Conclusion To distinguish malignant from osteoporotic acute vertebral collapses,the MRI findings of the morphology and the shape of the lesion postcontrast are useful in the differentiation of solitary acute vertebral collapses.

Objective: To distinguish malignant from osteoporotic acute vertebral collapses at the single location. Methods Fifteen osteoporotic and sixteen malignant vertebral collapses were studied in thirty - one patients with T1 WI, gadolinium enhanced T1 WI and T2 WI MRI. All the patients had the follow - up periods of 3 - 6 months or pathologic results from biopsy. Results Seven findings were suggestive of osteoporotic: 1. The compression of vertebral body was severe. 2. The lesion extended to the whole vertebral body was uncommon. 3. The location of the lesion was closed to the end plate of the vertebral body and the anterior and /or posterior of the vertebra was straight or concave. The posterior bone fragment can be seen. 4. Pedicles were normal. 5. No epidural soft tissue mass. 6. The vertebral vein was normal. 7. The bandilike or flakelike enhancement under the end plate. Another seven findings were suggestive of malignancy: 1. The compression of vertebral body was mild. 2. The lesion extended to the whole vertebral body was common. 3. The anterior and /or posterior of the vertebra cortex was convex. 4. Pedicles were involoved. 5:Epidural soft tissue mass was usually seen. 6. The vertebral vein was involved and disappeared. 7. The lesion was usually nodulus enhancement. Conclusion To distinguish malignant from osteoporotic acute vertebral collapses,the MRI findings of the morphology and the shape of the lesion postcontrast are useful in the differentiation of solitary acute vertebral collapses.

PURPOSE: To investigate and document a disaster medical response during the collapse of the Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort gymnasium, which occurred on February 17, 2014. METHODS: The official records of each institution were verified to select the study population. All the medical records and emergency medical service records were reviewed by an emergency physician. Personal or telephonic interviews were conducted without a separate questionnaire if the institutions or agencies crucial to disaster response did not have official records or if information from different institutions was inconsistent. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five accident victims, who were treated at 12 hospitals mostly for minor wounds, were included in this study. The collapse killed 10 people. Although the news of the collapse was disseminated in 4 minutes, it took at lease 69 minutes for a dispatch of 4 disaster medical assistance teams to take action; 4.5% of patients were treated on-site, 56.7% were transferred to 2 nearest hospitals, and 42.6% were transferred to hospitals with poor preparation to handle disaster victims. CONCLUSION: In the collapse of the Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort gymnasium, the initial triage and distribution of patients were inefficient, with delayed arrival of medical assistance teams. These problems had also been noted in prior mass casualty incidents. Government agencies are implementing improvements, and this study could aid the implementation process.
Disaster Victims ; Disasters* ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Government Agencies ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Resorts* ; Humans ; Mass Casualty Incidents ; Medical Assistance ; Medical Records ; Social Networking ; Triage ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and document the disaster medical response during the Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort gymnasium collapse on February 17, 2014. METHODS: Official records of each institution were verified to select the study population. All the medical records and emergency medical service run sheets were reviewed by an emergency physician. Personal or telephonic interviews were conducted, without a separate questionnaire, if the institutions or agencies crucial to disaster response did not have official records or if information from different institutions was inconsistent. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five accident victims treated at 12 hospitals, mostly for minor wounds, were included in this study. The collapse killed 10 people. Although the news of collapse was disseminated in 4 minutes, dispatch of 4 disaster medical assistance teams took at least 69 minutes to take the decision of dispatch. Four point five percent were treated at the accident site, 56.7% were transferred to 2 hospitals that were nearest to the collapse site, and 42.6% were transferred to hospitals that were poorly prepared to handle disaster victims. CONCLUSION: In the Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort gymnasium collapse, the initial triage and distribution of patients was inefficient and medical assistance arrived late. These problems had also been noted in prior mass casualty incidents.
Disaster Victims ; Disasters* ; Emergencies ; Emergency Medical Services ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Resorts* ; Humans ; Mass Casualty Incidents ; Medical Assistance ; Medical Records ; Social Networking ; Triage ; Wounds and Injuries