Journals / Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 27 Issue: 2

Limbus Vertebra in the Thoracic Spine: A Case Report

Torasik Omurgada Limbus Vertebra: Bir Vaka Sunumu

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Publication Date
2025-08-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In this case report, an incidental finding of a limbus vertebra in the thoracic spine in a 30-year-old female patient was presented.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:The limbus vertebra, first described by Christian Schmorl in 1927, is considered a variant of a normal vertebra in the literature.
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Key Findings & Data:It is a triangular fragment of bone that separates from the anterosuperior corner of the vertebra and is usually discovered incidentally via X-ray.
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Conclusion & Impact:In this case report, an incidental finding of a limbus vertebra in the thoracic spine in a 30-year-old female patient was presented.
🔬Design:Case Report
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Limbus Vertebra · Thoracic Vertebra · Incidental Findings

Abstract

The limbus vertebra, first described by Christian Schmorl in 1927, is considered a variant of a normal vertebra in the literature. It is a triangular fragment of bone that separates from the anterosuperior corner of the vertebra and is usually discovered incidentally via X-ray. Typically, it is asymptomatic due to its location. A limbus vertebra can be mistaken for a fracture, discitis, Schmorl's node, or tumor, which may lead to unnecessary surgical intervention. Therefore, it should be included in the differential diagnosis, especially in patients with a history of trauma, when their clinical condition is assessed. Limbus vertebrae most commonly affect the lumbar spine and, less frequently, other regions of the vertebral column. In this case report, an incidental finding of a limbus vertebra in the thoracic spine in a 30-year-old female patient was presented.

Özet

İlk kez 1927 yılında Christian Schmorl tarafından tanımlanan limbus vertebra, literatürde daha çok normal vertebranın bir varyantı olarak değerlendirilir. Limbus vertebra, omurganın üst uç noktasından ayrılan trianguler kemik parçası olup radyolojik olarak genellikle tesadüfi olarak saptanır. Tipik olarak konumu nedeniyle semptom vermez. Limbus vertebra kırık, diskit, Schmorl nodülü veya tümör ile karıştırılabilir ve bu da gereksiz yere cerrahi müdahalelere sebep olabilir. Bu nedenle, hastaların kliniğini değerlendirirken, özellikle travma öyküsü olan bir hastada, ayırıcı tanıda akılda tutulması gerekir. Limbus vertebra en sık olarak lomber omurgayı ve daha az sıklıkla diğer omurga bölgelerini etkilemektedir. Bu vaka sunumunda, 30 yaşında bir kadın hastada torakal omurgada görülen tesadüfi olarak saptanan bir limbus vertebra sunulmuştur.

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Cite This Article

Samanci, R., Ataoğlu, S. (2025). Limbus Vertebra in the Thoracic Spine: A Case Report. Düzce Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, Volume: 27 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.18678/dtfd.1608502

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