Delayed posttraumatic vertebral collapse with intravertebral vacuum cleft.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the case of a 79-year-old man who had a delayed posttraumatic vertebral collapse and an intravertebral vacuum cleft. The patient had been on long-term corticosteroid therapy. A discussion of Kummell's disease and the controversy surrounding the etiology of the condition is also presented.


METHODS
Six weeks before coming to the clinic, the patient remembered twisting, hearing a pop, and having severe low back pain. Two weeks after the incident, while hospitalized for bacterial cellulitis, he underwent lumbar spine radiography. The radiographs showed degenerative changes and remote (healed) compression fractures but did not demonstrate any deformity of L2. Four weeks later, he sought care for persistent low back pain. Radiographs revealed marked compression of the L2 vertebral body with an intravertebral vacuum phenomenon.


RESULTS
The patient was referred to his geriatrician for evaluation as a candidate for vertebroplasty or other stabilization procedures. He required a moderately high dose (60 mg) of prednisone daily to combat the symptoms of myasthenia gravis; therefore, the prognosis appears unfavorable for this patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical research is needed to determine the definitive etiology and pathophysiology of Kummell's disease. This case demonstrates that the intravertebral vacuum is a dynamic entity, subject to changes in size and shape. Previous case reports have suggested that Kummell's disease only presents as a linear, horizontal cleft. This disease needs further investigation to determine the true correlation between radiographic signs and the underlying pathophysiology.
Osterhouse
Melanie D
MD
Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, 1851 Schoettler Road, Chesterfield, Missouri 63006-1065, USA.
Kettner
Norman W
NW
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000293:injuries; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014618:Vacuum