A Female child, J. B., aged 4 years, was admitted to the Ethel Hedley Orthopædic Hospital for Children, Windermere, on 19th January, 1938. Her case has presented such unusual radiological findings during the last two years, that although this record is of necessity incomplete, its publication, as far as it goes, would appear to be of value. Radiographs of the affected area of spine have been taken at monthly intervals, and the whole skeleton has been investigated, but only those features of interest have been described. The essential clinical features of the case are as follows:— History. Early in December, 1938, began to complain of increasing pain in the region of the lumbar spine. This was accompanied by loss of weight and appetite. 7th January, 1938. X-ray showed collapse of the 3rd lumbar vertebra, appearance suggesting vertebral osteochondritis (Calvé). 19th January, 1938. Admitted to Ethel Hedley Hospital. Lumbar spine showed reversal of normal lordosis, and all movements were restricted by muscle spasm. Von Pirquet reaction negative to Human and Bovine. Radiological examination. 25th January, 1938. (Fig. 1.) Revealed the body of the 3rd lumbar vertebra to be a narrow irregular fragmented plaque. There is marked rarefaction of the pedicles; the intervertebral spaces on either side appear normal and there is no angulation of the spine at the site of lesion. All other vertebræ normal. A posterior spinal support was applied and the child kept flat. She rapidly became comfortable and showed improvement in general health.
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Richard Fawcitt (1940) studied this question.