Medico-legal Conclusions Caused by Misevaluation of the Schmorl’s Node, Which is Rarely Seen in Children (Case Report)

Abstract

Schmorl’s node (SN) is disruption of the cartilaginous endplate and herniation of the nucleus pulposus into the vertebral body in the period after losing of nuclear material through the cartilage plate. This article is about a 12-year-old boy, who was injured in a traffic accident. His traumatic vertebral compression fracture was defined and a causality was established between this lesion and the traffic accident. As a result of evaluation with neurosurgery, radiology and pediatric radiology, it was concluded that this lesion was SN and was not associated with the traffic accident. The literature about the case presented in this article was reviewed, and the importance of establishment of causality while preparing a forensic report and the necessity of multidisciplinary approach in such cases were emphasized.

Keywords

• schmorl’s node
• child
• vertebral compression fracture
• radiological imaging
• causality