Fish Vertebra

Spine

Osteopenia

Originally coined for the changes of senile osteoporosis, biconcave deformities of the vertebral bodies (“fish vertebrae”) are characteristic of disorders in which there is diffuse weakening of the bone. The name is derived from the actual appearance of a fish vertebrae, which normally has depressions in the superior and inferior surfaces of each vertebral body. This sign is typically used for osteopenia.

Reynolds J.: A re-evaluation of the “fish vertebra” sign in sickle-cell hemoglobinopathy. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1966 Jul;97(3):693-707 Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med 1966 Jul; 97(3):693-707.

Kaplan PA, Orton DF, Asleson RJ: Osteoporosis with vertebral compression fractures, retropulsed fragments, and neurologic compromise. Radiology 1987. Nov 165(2):533.

Resnick DL: Fish vertebrae. Arthritis Rheum 1982 Sep;25(9):1073-7.