title: A butterfly vertebra or a wedge fracture?
abstract: Two patients, who had injuries to the dorsal spine with vertebral wedging, are described. In both a compression wedge fracture was diagnosed, but a careful study of the anteroposterior radiographs showed that the presumed injury was a butterfly vertebra. This rare congenital anomaly, which is usually without clinical significance, may be mistaken for a wedge fracture unless the anteroposterior view is correctly assessed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Rehabilitation, Hospital Ramon y Cajal, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Florez
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Conejero
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging