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Slice 6 of 84
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CTMusculoskeletalConfirmedFRCR 2B
Burst fracture with conus compression and transitional anatomy
Clinical Presentation
A 30-year-old patient presents to the Emergency Department following an acute mechanical injury, complaining of severe pain, deformity, and restricted joint movement.
- 1Transitional anatomy
- 2Both scout images from the base of the skull and axial imaging through the lumbosacral junction are unavailable
- 3As such, definitive numbering is difficult
- 4If thelowest ribswere assumed to be articulate with T12, then the conus would terminate at L2/L3 (see subsequent MRI), which would be low
- 5As such, it is more likely that the 12th ribs are hypoplastic and that there is partialsacralization of L5
- 6Assuming this is the case, then the conus would terminate at L1/2 (normal)
- 7Thus, for the purposes of this report, the fracture is designated as involving T12.T12 burst fracturewith retropulsion resulting in, presumably, compression of the distal spinal cord
- 8Avertical fracture through the right laminais also present.Additional fracture through the right sacral ala extending into the right anterior foramina is not well seen
- 9Transitional anatomy
- 10Both scout images from the base of the skull and axial imaging through the lumbosacral junction are unavailable