title: Comparison between continuous and discontinuous multiple vertebral compression fractures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of multiple vertebral fractures (MVFs) occur under high-energy conditions; however, some cases occurring under minor-energy conditions exist. Fractures in successive vertebrae (continuous type) and in skipped vertebrae (discontinuous type) can exist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the cause, level of injury, and relationship to osteoporosis between continuous and discontinuous MVFs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 77 subjects (173 vertebrae) who had presented with acute back pain between September 2007 and April 2010 and who received diagnoses of fresh MVFs through magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects with continuous and discontinuous fractures were evaluated based on age, sex, bone mineral density (BMD), level of affected vertebrae, and cause of injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with discontinuous MVFs were significantly older and comprised more female patients. Mean BMD, measured by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry, was 0.70 and 0.58 g/cm(3) for the continuous and discontinuous MVFs, respectively, demonstrating a significant difference. Of 34 patients with discontinuous MVFs, 32 (94%) exhibited vertebral fractures in the thoracolumbar junction. In subjects with continuous MVFs, the MVFs of 19 (44%) subjects were caused by high-energy trauma, whereas mild trauma and unknown cause were identified in 14 (41%) and 13 (38%) subjects with discontinuous MVFs, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Discontinuous MVFs generally caused by mild outer force, and often occurred at the thoracolumbar junction. Continuous MVFs, frequently, were caused by high-energy trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Azumi General Hospital, 3207-1 Ikeda, Ikeda-machi, Kita-azumi-gun, Nagano, 399-8695, Japan, kanoshuu1977@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kano
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanikawa
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mogami
authors.forename: Shun-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takanashi
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oji
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oba
authors.forename: Shota
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*