Butterfly vertebra: a case report

Abstract

Background and importance:Butterfly vertebra is an uncommon congenital spinal anomaly, which can be easily mistaken for vertebral fracture, infection or tumor. Clinical presentation: We report the case of a 20-year-old male patient with a 3-year history of intermittent mid-thoracic spinal pain. Local examination showed a mild thoracic kyphoscoliosis. Neurological examination was normal. Computer tomography revealed the presence of a T6 butterfly vertebra associated with morphological anomalies in adjacent vertebral bodies and T6-T9 Schmorl's nodes. MRI scan confirmed the diagnosis and additionally showed a mild spinal stenosis caused by apparent posterior epidural fat hypertrophy. The patient was treated with painkillers and physical therapy. Conclusion: Butterfly vertebra is a benign condition. Once diagnosed, additional diagnostic procedures are not necessary. Neurosurgeons must be aware of this congenital anomaly that should not be confused with a vertebral fracture.

A prehistoric case of developmental defects of the spine in a young adult female from the Atacama Desert

“…Although the presence of this type of vertebrae can be asymptomatic, it can also be associated with lower back pain, supernumerary vertebrae, and spina bifida, among other conditions. Furthermore, it has been associated with syndromes such as craniofacial synostosis (Crouzon), spondylocostal dysostosis (Jarcho–Levin), arterial‐hepatic dysplasia (Alagille), and Klippel–Feil (Adam, Iftimie, Burduşa, & Moisescu, ; Boulet, Schiettecatte, De Mey, & De Maeseneer, ; Hopkins & Abbott, ; Keenleyside, ).…”