2022 Volume 47 Issue 1 Pages 9-14
OBJECTIVES: A consensus on predictors of delayed union affecting the treatment results for osteoporotic vertebral fractures does not yet exist. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings within two weeks of injury.
METHODS: The study involved 76 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures who underwent MRI at our hospital within two weeks of injury. All the patients were treated conservatively with a hard corset, and the presence or absence of delayed union was determined on plain lateral radiographs 3 months later. The patients were divided into bone union (n=65) and delayed union (n=11) groups, and the two groups were compared.
RESULTS: Regarding MRI signal intensity changes in the vertebral body, a localized high signal intensity on T2-weighted sagittal images was significantly more common in the delayed union group. The delayed union group had a significantly higher age and a significantly higher prevalence of pre-existing vertebral fractures. Logistic regression analysis identified MRI signal intensity changes in the vertebral body as the only significant factor.
CONCLUSION: MRI signal intensity changes in the vertebral body early after injury have a high diagnostic value as a risk factor for delayed union.
