Kummell disease

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Kummell disease is delayed post-traumatic collapse of a vertebral body. Avascular necrosis is the most accepted hypothesis for the etiology of Kummell disease. Gas within vertebral body thought to represent vacuum phenomenon. Risk factors include corticosteroid use, alcoholism and radiation therapy.

On imaging, vertebral body collapse is seen

Kummell disease involving the T10 vertebral body

• 
  Initial radiograph at time of trauma
• 
  6 weeks after trauma
• 
  6 weeks after trauma

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