STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective radiologic study OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the signals and configurations of the MRI findings of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and the clinical consequences of each type of the MRI findings. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There have been some reports that have focused on the MR findings for the differentiation of osteoporotic and metastatic fractures, but there are few reports on the characteristics of the early stage of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2002 to April 2008, the MRI findings and medical records of 97 patients who were diagnosed with acute or subacute osteoporotic vertebral fractures and who were followed-up for more than 1 year were analyzed. The patients with minor trauma within 3 months before obtaining MRIs and they had decreased bone density were included in this study. Those with fractures due to severe trauma or pathologic causes or normal bone density were excluded. Three spine surgeons evaluated, at three times per each surgeon, the T1-weighted, T2-weighted and fat suppression T1-enhanced sagittal images for the signal of the vertebral body bone marrow and the type of the intravertebral body lesion shape. The relationships between the type of MRI findings and the time from the trauma and the follow up clinical consequences were analyzed. RESULTS: The MRI patterns of 97 patients with 111 fractures of the vertebrae were divided into three types. There were 56 cases of Type I (50.5%), which was defined as diffuse typical signal intensity in the vertebral body, 39 cases (35.1%) of Type II, which was defined as geographic low signal in the center of the vertebral body with typical signal changes, and 16 cases (14.4%). of type III, which was defined as atypical signal intensity or a shape of lesion that did not correspond to type 1 nor type 2. The average time from trauma was 10.8+/-19.0days (0~90) for type I, 19.1+/-24.9days (0~90) for type III and 37.5+/-31.1days (0~90) for type III, which showed differences among each types (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the relationship between the time from trauma and the signal intensity and the type of lesion on MRI examination revealed that the low signal intensity in the typical vertebral body signal or an atypical signal or shape were poor prognostic factors of osteoporotic vertebral fracture
Bone Density ; Bone Marrow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

We report a case of a recurrent psoas abscess caused by two different pathogens. The abdominal CT scans revealed a multiseptated cystic mass along the right psoas-iliacus muscle. The patient was treated with antibiotics treatment in combination with CT-guided percutaneous aspiration and drainage using a catheter. The microbiological examination revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Six months later, the patient presented with anorexia, malaise, epigastric pain, lower back pain and fever of 37.8 degrees C for a one-week duration. The abdominal CT scans revealed an abscess cavity on the inferior side of the right psoaos-iliacus muscle. This was accompanied by retrocecal appendicitis and a periappendiceal abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed that the psoas abscess was located on the right psoas-iliacus muscle. We performed an appendectomy and laparotomy. Subsequently, the culture yielded Escherichia coli in the psoas abscess. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a recurrent psoas abscess caused by two different pathogens.
Abscess ; Anorexia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Catheters ; Drainage ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Laparotomy ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvis ; Psoas Abscess* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We encountered a case of coincidental congenital complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas and the unilateral lumbosacral articular process. A 21-year-old man presented with pain in the lower back and right buttock. The patient was a swimming coach. On plain radiography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the congenital absence of the unilateral lumbosacral articular process was noted. Six months later, the patient developed severe neck pain and suboccipital headaches without neurological signs. On plain radiography and computerized tomography, the congenital complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas was noted. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormal signs originating from the posterior spinal cord. There was no segmental instability. For this case, the lower back pain and neck pain were managed by conservative treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a coincidental congenital complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas and the unilateral lumbosacral articular process.
Buttocks ; Headache ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck Pain ; Radiography ; Spinal Cord ; Swimming ; Young Adult