[Comparison of single versus and multi-level vertebral compression fractures in elders].

Abstract

To compare the characteristics, causes and relationship to osteoporosis between single and multi-level vertebral compression fractures in elders. A total of 126 subjects (147 vertebrae) with acute back pain between September 2010 and December 2012 were diagnosed as vertebral fracture through magnetic resonance imaging. And single and multi-level vertebral compression fractures were evaluated on the basis of age, gender, bone mineral density (BMD), level of affected vertebrae and cause of injury. The subjects with multi-level vertebral fractures were much older and there were more females. Among 39 multi-level fractures, the sites were thoracolumbar junction (n=18, 46.2%) and lumbar (n=11, 28.2%). The causes were metastatic carcinoma (n=9, 23.1%) and mild trauma (n=30, 76.9%). And 16 (41.1%) subjects were of mixed type. The mean BMD, as measured by dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry, was 0.51 and 0.68 g/cm3 for multi and single-level vertebral fractures respectively. In subjects with single-level vertebral fracture, 43 (49.4%) had vertebral fractures in thoracolumbar junction and 26 (29.9%) in lumbar vertebrae. The causes were metastatic carcinoma (n=2, 2.1%) and high-energy trauma (n=73, 83.7%). And 30 (34.5%) subjects suffered wedge compression fractures. The patients with multi-level vertebral fracture are often older females with a lower BMD, a mixed type and vertebral metastatic carcinoma. And their causes are mild outer forces. Yet those with single-level vertebral fracture result from high-energy trauma and belong to the compression type.