Demographics:
65 years old, Male
Indication:
Trauma
Findings
- Acute fracture through the L2-L3 disc space which propagates posteriorly to involve the bilateral L2 pars interarticularis, lamina, and base of the spinous process. Associated traumatic anterolisthesis and anterior disc space widening with focal lordosis. Adjacent prevertebral hematoma
- Acute left L2 and L3 transverse process fractures
- Posterior spinal fusion hardware spanning T7-L1 appears intact, though evaluation is limited by streak artifact and osteopenia
- Prevertebral hematoma at the level of the fractures
- Diffuse degenerative changes of the visualized thoracolumbar spine with extensive ankylosis, multilevel disc height loss, intervertebral disc calcifications, and advanced facet hypertrophy
Diagnosis
Acute extension-distraction injury
Sample Report
Acute extension-distraction fracture through the L2-L3 disc space which propagates posteriorly to involve the bilateral L2 pars interarticularis, lamina, and base of the spinous process. Associated traumatic anterolisthesis and anterior disc space widening with focal lordosis concerning for extensive ligamentous injury.
Acute left L2 and L3 transverse process fractures.
Posterior spinal fusion hardware spanning T7-L1 appears intact, though evaluation is limited by streak artifact and osteopenia.
Background findings including osteopenia, multilevel ankylosis, and disc space loss with disc calcification consistent with patient's history of ochronosis.
Discussion