Vertebral fluid collection associated with vertebral collapse

OBJECTIVE. Three elderly women with osteoporotic compression fractures of a vertebral body underwent MR imaging because of neurologic signs and symptoms. Atypical fluid collections were shown by MR imaging in all three patients. For histologic characterization of these vertebral fluid collections, CT-guided biopsies and aspirations were done for all three patients. CONCLUSION. After studying the clinical, histologic, and imaging features of these fluid collections associated with vertebral fracture, we suggest that they are most likely associated with underlying avascular necrosis.