@article{3109939,
    title = "Differentiating between traumatic pathology and congenital variant: A case report of butterfly vertebra",
    author = "Karargyris, O. and Lampropoulou-Adamidou, K. and Morassi, L.-G. and Stathopoulos, I.P. and Chatziioannou, S.N. and Pneumaticos, S.G.",
    journal = "CiOS Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery",
    year = "2015",
    volume = "7",
    number = "3",
    pages = "406-409",
    publisher = "Korean Orthopaedic Association",
    doi = "10.4055/cios.2015.7.3.406",
    keywords = "analgesic agent, adult;  Article;  butterfly vertebra;  case report;  computer assisted tomography;  diagnostic imaging;  falling;  female;  human;  image analysis;  intervertebral disk hernia;  low back pain;  neurologic disease;  physiotherapy;  sciatica;  spine radiography;  vertebra malformation;  abnormalities;  low back pain;  lumbar vertebra;  pathology;  x-ray computed tomography, Accidental Falls;  Adult;  Female;  Humans;  Low Back Pain;  Lumbar Vertebrae;  Tomography, X-Ray Computed",
    abstract = "Butterfly vertebra is a rare congenital malformation of the spine, which is usually reported in the literature as an isolated finding. We describe a 40-year-old woman that presented to our emergency department with back pain and sciatica. Initial radiological evaluation revealed an incidental finding of a L4 butterfly vertebra in the anteroposterior and lateral view radiographs. The patient presented with no neurological deficit. This rare congenital anomaly is usually asymptomatic, and awareness of its non-traumatic nature is critical in order to establish a correct diagnosis. Further evaluation of the patient is necessary to exclude pathologic fracture, infection, or associated vertebral anomalies and syndromes, such as Alagille, Jarcho-Levin, Crouzon, and Pfeiffer syndromes. Furthermore, in the emergency setting, awareness of this entity is needed so that a correct diagnosis can be established. © 2015 by The Korean Orthopaedic Association."
}