J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2001 Dec;8(4):475-481.

Limbus Vertebra Demonstrated by Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Image

• Park WW
• Choi YJ
• Ahn SJ
• Kim JT

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: We studied retrospectively the limbus vertebra by computed tomography or magnetic resonance image.
OBJECTIVES
To analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of the limbus vertebra and to distinguish it from a fracture, infection or tumor. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The limbus vertebra is common. However, the clinical manifestations including the level, symptoms and radiologic characteristics of the limbus vertebra are not understood exactly in the literatures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We presented 25 cases of the limbus vertebra that were confirmed by plain roentgenogram combined with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Of the 25 patients, 18 were males and 7 females.
RESULTS
The levels of the limbus vertebra were L3 (2 cases), L4 (13 cases), and L5 (8 cases). There were two cases of 2 level involvement (L3/4 and L4/5). All cases showed the lower lumbar lesion and complained of the lower back pain. The accompanying diseases included 10 cases of herniated intervertebral discs, 2 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 2 cases of spinal stenosis and one spondylolisthesis. Three patients were first diagnosed as tuberculous spondylitis and 2 patient as spine fracture on plain roentgenograms. But they can be confirmed by demonstrating the herniation of disc material between the anterosuperior bony fragment and the rest of the body in CT or MRI.
CONCLUSIONS
The CT or MRI could be great diagnostic modalities. The pathogenesis is thought to be the herniation of disc material into the vertebral body such as Schmorl's node and disc degeneration. Most limbus vertebra was found at the lower lumbar region and accompanied with disc bulging and degeneration. The correlation between the limbus vertebra and lower back pain is not certain.

Keyword

Lumbar; Limbus vertebra; MRI; CT

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Low Back Pain
Lumbosacral Region
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Stenosis
Spine*
Spondylitis
Spondylitis, Ankylosing
Spondylolisthesis

Figure

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  Fig. 1-A. Lateral radiography of the lumbar spine. The bony defect with sclerotic contour at the anterosuperior margin of L4 body and a small detached triangular bony fragment was seen. Fig. 1-B. CT sagittal reformat view. The bony defect at the anterior edge of the vertebral body with irregular and increased density was seen. Fig. 1-C. Sagittal view of MRI showed that the erosion of the anterior part of the vertebral end plates, presence of an anterior bone fragment and herniation of disc material between this fragment and the vertebral body.

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  Fig. 2. Lateral radiography of the lumbar spine. The length of detached bony fragment usually did not exceed 1/3 of endplate length and the angle between endplate and bony defect line was under 40 degrees.

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  Fig. 3-A. This case was differential diagnosis. The bony defect at the anterosuperior margin of the L4 body implies the vertebral body fracture. Fig. 3-B. CT sagittal reformat view. Fracture line is well visible. No sclerosis and no disc material is in the fracture site. Fig. 3-C. Sagittal view of MRI. The findings of no herniation of disc material between this fragment and the vertebral body implies vertebral body fracture. In addition, bony contusion of vertebral body is another evidence of vertebral body fracture.

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