Kummell's disease

(Hermann Kummell, 1852 - 1937, German surgeon), delayed post-traumatic collapse of vertebral bodies. The time between the acute traumatic episode and the vertebral collapse varies from days to years. Principal sites of involvement are the lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebral bodies. An intraosseous vacuum phenomenon (collections of gas within the collapsed vertebral body) may extend into the adjacent psoas muscle.

DR