Published in:
01-12-2016 | Case Report
Intravertebral cleft in pathological vertebral collapse resulting from cancer metastasis: report of three cases
Authors:
Hiroshi Hatano, Naoki Oike, Takashi Ariizumi, Taro Sasaki, Hiroyuki Kawashima
Published in:
Skeletal Radiology
|
Issue 12/2016
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Abstract
Intravertebral cleft (IVC) is a common finding in osteoporotic compression fracture. However, since the vertebral collapse attributable to cancer metastasis is rarely associated with IVC, the phenomenon is generally considered as a sign of a benign lesion. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the radiographs, computed tomography scans, and magnetic resonance images of 111 patients with spinal metastasis. Three cases (2.7 %) had IVC in the collapsed thoracic vertebral bodies (T7, T8, and T11) attributable to cancer metastasis. IVC alone is not necessarily an indicator of a benign vertebral collapse.