Summary
A survey of 810 thoracolumbar junction CT scans demonstrated several forms of accessory ossification centres and vestigial ribs associated with the posterior element processes. Four examples of short T12 ribs and 15 L1 ribs were identified, in addition to 8 accessory ossification centres at L1, and 3 at T12. Radiographic features of accessory ossification centres were compared with histologic characteristics from cadaver studies. Accessory ossification centres have occasional clinical significance when they may be confused with fractures at the thoracolumbar junction. Differential diagnosis relies on adequate visualization of their cortical margins to distinguish them from recent fractures of the processes.
Résumé
L'étude de 810 scanners de la charnière thoraco-lombaire a mis en évidence plusieurs formes de points d'ossification accessoires et de côtes vestigiales associées aux processus de l'arc postérieur des vertèbres. Quatre exemples de 12e côte brève et 15 côtes lombaires surnuméraires en L1 ont été identifiées, ainsi que 8 points d'ossification accessoires en L1 et 3 en T12. Les images radiographiques des points d'ossification accessoires ont été comparés aux caractères histologiques étudiés sur le cadavre. Ces points peuvent prendre une importance clinique en prêtant à confusion avec une fracture de la jonction thoraco-lombaire. Le diagnostic différentiel repose sur une visualisation adéquate de leurs limites corticales denses afin de les distinguer des fractures fraîches des processus costiformes.
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Singer, K.P., Breidahl, P.D. Accessory ossification centres at the thoracolumbar junction. Surg Radiol Anat 12, 53–58 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02094126
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02094126