Kummell’s disease: delayed post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the vertebral body

[摘要] A 75-year-old female household ambulator with a history of dementia, diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, hypothyroidism and prior injuries to T11 and L2 presented with thoracolumbar pain in the emergency department after a ground-level fall. The patient complained of weakness and fatigue, which culminated in a fall at home on the morning of presentation. She was hospitalized for a general medical workup and physical therapy. Dedicated spine radiographs were not obtained at that time. However, lateral chest radiograph demonstrated the old T11 injury along with an intact T12 vertebral body (Fig. 1). The patient was able to mobilize successfully with therapy and was subsequently discharged home the following day. During the interim, she was able to resume physical activity including ambulating without a walking aid and performing various housework.

[学科分类] 骨科学

[关键词] Kummell’s disease;Delayed vertebral osteonecrosis;Vertebral collapse;Vertebral pseudoarthrosis