Osteogenesis imperfecta as a differential diagnosis of pathologic burst fractures of the spine. A case report.

A 22-year-old man suffered two noncontiguous burst fractures of the thoracic spine after minor motor vehicular trauma. He was diagnosed with pathologic spinal burst fracture associated with osteogenesis imperfecta Sillence Type 1A. The diagnosis was based on the relatively minor nature of the trauma, clinical characteristics, roentgenograms, and detailed family history. Osteogenesis imperfecta, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe burst fractures of the spine.