Fig. 1.

CT scan of the lumbar spine in sagittal reformation (a) and axial slice passing through L5 (b) pancake-like compression of L3 and cuneiform of L4 of at least 50% of the height of the above and underlying vertebrae. Severe narrowing of the L3-L4 interbody space with [disk void] and condensation of the adjacent vertebral endplates (black arrow). Receding of the posterior wall of L4 encroaching on the thecal sac (black arrow head). Anterior marginal [osteophytes] of L1 and L2, narrowing of the interbody spaces L1-L2 and L2-L3, and [disk void] in L1-L2 (white arrow). Fragmented, puzzle-like appearance of L4, no thickening of the perivertebral soft tissues.