Avascular idiopathic vertebrae necrosis associated with Raynaud phenomenon: case report and review of literature

Avascular necrosis of a vertebral body is an uncommon entity. Avascular necrosis has been described in the context of other underlying lesions, such as with malignancy, infection, radiation therapy, systemic steroid treatment or trauma (Kummel disease). Idiophatic avascular necrosis in a vertebral body is even more rare to occur. As an illustrative example it is presented the case of a 61-year-old woman with and avascular necrosis of L2. Primaries disease where ruled out (only an idiophatic Raynaud phenomenon was associated) and diagnosis was made by vertebral core biopsy. After biopsy was performed, pain decrease strongly so the patient rejected further treatments. MRI changes were noticed after four months from the biopsy. The patient remains asymptomatic until now. A current review of the literature regarding avascular necrosis of a vertebral body is made in this article insisting on different etiologies, differential diagnosis and treatment.