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A butterfly vertebra or a wedge fracture?

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Summary

Two patients, who had injuries to the dorsal spine with vertebral wedging, are described. In both a compression wedge fracture was diagnosed, but a careful study of the anteroposterior radiographs showed that the presumed injury was a butterfly vertebra. This rare congenital anomaly, which is usually without clinical significance, may be mistaken for a wedge fracture unless the anteroposterior view is correctly assessed.

Résumé

Les auteurs présentent deux patients ayant des antécédents traumatiques au niveau du rachis dorsal et une vertèbre cunéiforme visible sur une radiographie simple de profil. Dans ces deux cas on a porté initialement le diagnostic de fracture par compression. Un examen plus attentif des clichés de face a permis de déceler l'existence d'une vertèbre en papillon. La confusion de cette anomalie congénitale, habituellement sans signification clinique, avec une fracture par compression du corps vertébral, sur un simple cliché de profil, pourrait entraîner un traitement inutile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Servicio de Rehabilitation, Hospital “Ramon y Cajal”, Madrid, Spain

    F. Garcia, M. T. Florez & J. A. Conejero

Authors
  1. F. Garcia
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  2. M. T. Florez
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  3. J. A. Conejero
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Garcia, F., Florez, M.T. & Conejero, J.A. A butterfly vertebra or a wedge fracture?. International Orthopaedics 17, 7–10 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195213

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00195213

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