1 - Neuroradiology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
- Congresso Nacional de Neurorradiologia, Aveiro, Portugal, 23 e 24 Outubro 2015
Introduction/Objective: Vertebral fractures are altogether rare in children and mostly traumatic in origin. Fractures secondary to other entities involving the vertebrae can be easily overlooked. They can be due to malformations, benign and malignant tumors but also metabolic disorders.The aim of our paper is to illustrate and review a few causes of secondary fractures in children.
Materials and methods: An illustrative case collection is presented, emphasizing the critical findings in this rare cause of pediatric fractures. Complications are also presented.
Results/Conclusion: A series of cases of vertebral fractures are presented. Pathologies illustrated include: aneurysmal bone cysts, lymphoma, histiocytosis, bone malformations, metabolic disorders, genetic syndromes, and infections. Complications such as cord compression are also described. Clues to each diagnosis are presented, with imaging pearls and pitfalls. Due to the rarity of vertebral fractures in children, and to the overwhelming prevalence of the traumatic mechanism, secondary fractures may be overlooked. Knowledge of critical findings in this cases is paramount, as they may be the first sign of disease.