Radiological findings of February 2023 twin earthquakes-related spine injuries

Figure 1 Prolonged fetal posture injury. A 23-year old male who jammed under debris about 15 minutes. A: Computed tomography image reveals T8 to L1 consecutive mild compression fractures (arrows), which corresponds to thoracolumbar area injury; B and C: T1W image and T2-STIR sequence show T8 to L1 vertebrae fracture and edema around them; D: The image of the volume rendering technique shows especially the fractures of the T12 and L1 vertebrae.

Figure 2 Compression fracture. A 27-year old male who was injured while escaping from the earthquake. A: Computed tomography image reveals T1-T5 vertebrae and T7 vertebra compression fractures (arrows); B and C: T2-STIR and T2W images show C6-T5 vertebrae and T7 vertebra compression fractures (arrows) and edema around them.

Figure 3 Flexion-distraction fracture. A 35-year old male who jammed under debris about 3 hours. A: Computed tomography image reveals the flexion-distraction type of fracture involving T12 to L4 vertebrae, especially with anteriorly losing height (orange arrows) and distraction of posterior processes (yellow arrows); B: STIR sequence shows fractures of T12 to L4 vertebrae and edema around fractures.

Figure 4 Burst fracture. A 63-year old female who jammed under debris about 48 hours. A: Computed tomography image reveals the burst fracture of the L4 vertebra (arrows) with the loss of height; B and C: T2W and STIR sequence show the retropulsed bone fragment and narrowing of the spinal canal (arrows).

Figure 5 Translation-dislocation fracture. A 52-year old male who jammed under debris about 12 hours. A: Sagittal reformat computed tomography (CT) image reveals the translation type of L4 vertebra fracture (arrow), extending into the right facet joint. B: Axial CT image of the same patient reveals the right transverse process fracture of L4 extending into the right facet joint.