Wedge fracture

Bone deformity

L1 wedge fracture with a 50% loss of vertebral height. To measure it, we begin by calculating the predicted height of L1 by doing the average of the height of the two adjacent vertebrae ( (18 + 20) / 2 = 19 ). We then measure the percentage of L1 still intact, here 10 / 19 = 52,6%. This accounts for a 47,4% height loss.

Intact posterior wall

Posterior wall appears to be intact.

Posterior height of the vertebrae

Preserved vertebral height in posterior, giving the classic wedge appearance of the vertebrae.

Interpedicular distance

The interpedicular distance is preserved.

Facet arthrosis

Irregular hyperdensities

Facet joint osteoarthritis and osteophytes at multiple levels.

Vertebral identification

We consider the last vertebrae with a rib as T12 on the anteroposterior view. This prevents vertebral numbering errors when the patient has an additional lumbar vertebrae (S1 lumbarisation).