STUDY DESIGN: A case of idiopathic focal vertebral body osteonecrosis without vertebral collapse is reported. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of focal vertebral osteonecrosis and to clarify the features of imaging studies. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are no previous reports describing focal vertebral body necrosis without collapse in the literature. METHODS: A case report and literature review are presented. RESULTS: Imaging studies demonstrated: 1) sclerotic change on computed tomography scan; 2) low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2 with clear margin, and no gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging; and 3) no uptake on bone scan. Histologic examination revealed empty lacunas, fatty necrosis with vacuolar degeneration, and cell debris compatible with bone marrow necrosis. CONCLUSION: Vertebral body osteonecrosis must be considered a possible diagnosis of patients presenting with low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2 with clear margin, and no gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging.
STUDY DESIGN: A case of idiopathic focal vertebral body osteonecrosis without vertebral collapse is reported. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of focal vertebral osteonecrosis and to clarify the features of imaging studies. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are no previous reports describing focal vertebral body necrosis without collapse in the literature. METHODS: A case report and literature review are presented. RESULTS: Imaging studies demonstrated: 1) sclerotic change on computed tomography scan; 2) low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2 with clear margin, and no gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging; and 3) no uptake on bone scan. Histologic examination revealed empty lacunas, fatty necrosis with vacuolar degeneration, and cell debris compatible with bone marrow necrosis. CONCLUSION:Vertebral body osteonecrosis must be considered a possible diagnosis of patients presenting with low intensity on T1, high intensity on T2 with clear margin, and no gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging.