L3 burst fracture, radiograph
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This CME activity consists of the student reviewing the video of the professor reviewing the case as well as the associated DICOM image set related to the case in question.
Learning Objectives
As a result of participation in this activity, participants should be able to:
- Provide improved patient care.
- Greater knowledge of the imaging characteristics of the patient's disease.
- Understand a better approach to interpretation of studies.
Faculty Disclosure
Mehmet Albayram, MD, Ivan Davis, MD, Mariam Hanna, MD, Anthony Mancuso, MD, Ronald Quisling, MD, Dhanashree Rajderkar, MD, Priya Sharma, MD, Roberta Slater, MD and Joann Stamm, MBA have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships. No one else is a position to control content have any financial relationship to disclose.
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Conflict of interest information for the CME Advisory Committee members can be found on the following website: https://cme.ufl.edu/disclosure/.
Continuing Medical Education Credit
Accreditation: The University of Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit: The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CB1239-L3 burst fracture, radiograph
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CB1239-L3 burst fracture, radiograph
Case ReportHistory
Exam
Prior Study
Findings
Technique
The thoracolumbar junction and the lumbosacral junction are included on the exam
The cross table lateral view is somewhat under penetrated, but can be adjusted by changing the window settings. The exam is limited on the lateral view with the lower sacrum and coccyx not entirely included.
Prevertebral and paravertebral soft tissues
The prevertebral or paravertebral soft tissues are normal.
Spinal alignment
The anterior and posterior vertebral body lines are abnormal and interrupted from a likely burst fracture of L3. The visualized spinous processes are not malaligned or distracted on the AP or lateral views.
There is some straightening of the normal lordosis of the lumbar spine.
Vertebral bodies, posterior elements, and included sacral segments
There are 5 non rib-bearing vertebral bodies.
There is a compression fracture of the L3 vertebral body with a sagittal fracture of the inferior aspect of the vertebral body and widening of the vertebral body seen on the AP view, likely from a burst fracture. There is anterior wedging of the L3 vertebral body and superior and inferior end plates.
There is retropulsion of fracture fragments from the posterior margin of the L3 vertebral body into the spinal canal.
There is abnormality of the pedicles on the frontal view with increase in the interpedicular distance, but no fracture.
The included sacral segments are normal.
Disc spaces and facet joints
There is L2-L3 disc space narrowing from the compression element of the burst fracture.
There is no widening, rotational abnormality, or displacement of facets at any motion segment. There is no facet joint narrowing or sclerosis or encroachment of the neural foramina other than from degenerative change.
Additional soft tissues and bones (lower thorax, abdomen, and pelvis)
The bowel gas pattern is normal.
The included thoracic spine, ribs, lower chest, and pelvis are normal.
Other findings:
There are no other existing conditions that might be contributing to symptoms which can or should be further evaluated non-emergently.
