ABSTRACT
The aim of this review is to establish the correct diagnosis of malignant and benign compression vertebral fractures by MRI to determine treatment and prognosis. Over 5 months period all the MRI examination of fractured vertebrae reported by the radiology department at KHMC were reviewed. Data collected for examination include MRI conventional T1W, T2W spine echo sequences and fast spin echo with STIR [short inversion recovery] sequences. All the patients selected had been given intravenous gadolinium contrast medium. Evaluations of the compressed spine included children and adults, males and females of different ages. The criteria used to differentiate between benign and malignant collapsed spine on MRI was based on the signal intensity, morphology and contrast enhancement for the correct diagnosis. Homogenous and diffuse abnormal signal intensity, posterior convexity and involvement of the pedicles are signs that are strongly suggestive of malignant spine compression. Conversely a band like area of low intensity adjacent to the depressed endplate or preservation of signal intensity of the vertebra suggests benign nature of the collapse