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Comparison between continuous and discontinuous multiple vertebral compression fractures

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Abstract

Background

The majority of multiple vertebral fractures (MVFs) occur under high-energy conditions; however, some cases occurring under minor-energy conditions exist. Fractures in successive vertebrae (continuous type) and in skipped vertebrae (discontinuous type) can exist.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the cause, level of injury, and relationship to osteoporosis between continuous and discontinuous MVFs.

Methods

We studied 77 subjects (173 vertebrae) who had presented with acute back pain between September 2007 and April 2010 and who received diagnoses of fresh MVFs through magnetic resonance imaging. Subjects with continuous and discontinuous fractures were evaluated based on age, sex, bone mineral density (BMD), level of affected vertebrae, and cause of injury.

Results

Subjects with discontinuous MVFs were significantly older and comprised more female patients. Mean BMD, measured by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry, was 0.70 and 0.58 g/cm3 for the continuous and discontinuous MVFs, respectively, demonstrating a significant difference. Of 34 patients with discontinuous MVFs, 32 (94%) exhibited vertebral fractures in the thoracolumbar junction. In subjects with continuous MVFs, the MVFs of 19 (44%) subjects were caused by high-energy trauma, whereas mild trauma and unknown cause were identified in 14 (41%) and 13 (38%) subjects with discontinuous MVFs, respectively.

Conclusions

Discontinuous MVFs generally caused by mild outer force, and often occurred at the thoracolumbar junction. Continuous MVFs, frequently, were caused by high-energy trauma.

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Conflict of interest

None of the authors of this manuscript has received any type of support, benefits, or funding from commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Azumi General Hospital, 3207-1 Ikeda, Ikeda-machi, Kita-azumi-gun, Nagano, 399-8695, Japan

    Shuji Kano, Hirotaka Tanikawa, Yuji Mogami, Shun-ichi Shibata, Seiji Takanashi, Yoshihito Oji, Takashi Aoki & Hiroki Oba

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto, Nagano, 390-8621, Japan

    Jun Takahashi

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yodakubo Hospital, 2857 Furumachi, Nagawa, Nagano, 386-0603, Japan

    Shota Ikegami

Authors
  1. Shuji Kano
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  2. Hirotaka Tanikawa
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  3. Yuji Mogami
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  4. Shun-ichi Shibata
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  5. Seiji Takanashi
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  6. Yoshihito Oji
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  7. Takashi Aoki
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  8. Hiroki Oba
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  9. Shota Ikegami
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  10. Jun Takahashi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shuji Kano.

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Kano, S., Tanikawa, H., Mogami, Y. et al. Comparison between continuous and discontinuous multiple vertebral compression fractures. Eur Spine J 21, 1867–1872 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2210-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2210-6

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