Subcutaneous edema on back detected by MRI in hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture

Almost all hospitalized patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture are given an MRI. At that time, subcutaneous edema on their back is often identified. It is empirically known that patients with subcutaneous edema on their back have a history of compression fracture and vertebral kyphotic deformity. In this study, we examined whether there were any differences between patients who had subcutaneous edema on their back and those who did not; those with a history of compression fractures would be especially assessed.

The observation period was between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2020. All patients were on the ward, and there were a total of 375 patients (male: 114; female: 261) aged 66-98 years old (mean: 81.1 years).Patients who had subcutaneous edema on their back and those who did not were compared in terms of sex, age, osteoporosis diagnosis by DEXA and X-ray imaging, body mass index (BMI), serum total protein and albumin, Japanese senile independence score, presence of decubitus, history of vertebral compression fracture and incidents of compression fracture during the observation period.

Significant differences were not observed for sex, osteoporosis diagnosis by DEXA, BMI, blood serum total protein and albumin, or the presence of decubitus. However, age, osteoporosis diagnosis by X-ray imaging, Japanese senile independence score, history of vertebral compression fracture, and incidents of another vertebral compression fracture during the observation period were significantly different between those with and without edema.

It has been suggested that hospitalized patients with subcutaneous edema on their back often have a history of vertebral compression fracture and experience another vertebral compression fracture during the observation period. Hospitalized patients with subcutaneous edema on their back should have their osteoporosis treated more carefully.