Abstract
We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate 32 vertebral compression fractures in 28 patients. Fresh vertebral compression fractures exhibited low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (T1-WI) and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (T2-WI). The alteration of the signal intensity was more apparent on T2-WI than on T1-WI. MRI was useful for diagnosis of this type of fracture and the determination of fracture level. In a few cases, the grade of the signal change was increased one month after injury compared with that on initial examination. Results of MRI 3 months after the original examination were grouped into two, depending on whether they showed signal improvement or not. That grouping would be useful in predicting the prognosis of the fractures.
