Limbus Vertebra Demonstrated by Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Image / 대한척추외과학회지

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: We studied retrospectively the limbus vertebra by computed tomography or magnetic resonance image. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of the limbus vertebra and to distinguish it from a fracture, infection or tumor. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW The limbus vertebra is common. However, the clinical manifestations including the level, symptoms and radiologic characteristics of the limbus vertebra are not understood exactly in the literatures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We presented 25 cases of the limbus vertebra that were confirmed by plain roentgenogram combined with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of the 25 patients, 18 were males and 7 females. RESULTS: The levels of the limbus vertebra were L3 (2 cases), L4 (13 cases), and L5 (8 cases). There were two cases of 2 level involvement (L3/4 and L4/5). All cases showed the lower lumbar lesion and complained of the lower back pain. The accompanying diseases included 10 cases of herniated intervertebral discs, 2 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 2 cases of spinal stenosis and one spondylolisthesis. Three patients were first diagnosed as tuberculous spondylitis and 2 patient as spine fracture on plain roentgenograms. But they can be confirmed by demonstrating the herniation of disc material between the anterosuperior bony fragment and the rest of the body in CT or MRI. CONCLUSIONS: The CT or MRI could be great diagnostic modalities. The pathogenesis is thought to be the herniation of disc material into the vertebral body such as Schmorl's node and disc degeneration. Most limbus vertebra was found at the lower lumbar region and accompanied with disc bulging and degeneration. The correlation between the limbus vertebra and lower back pain is not certain.