%0 Journal Article
%T Vertebra Plana: A Narrative Clinical and Imaging Overview among Possible Differential Diagnoses.
%A Angelini A
%A Mosele N
%A Gnassi A
%A Baracco R
%A Rodà MG
%A Cerchiaro M
%A Ruggieri P
%J Diagnostics (Basel)
%V 13
%N 8
%D 2023 Apr 17
%M 37189540
%F 3.992
%R 10.3390/diagnostics13081438
%X Vertebra plana is a rare radiologic condition characterized by a uniform loss of height of a vertebral body that represents a diagnostic challenge for surgeons. The purpose of this study was to review all possible differential diagnoses that may present with a vertebra plana (VP) described in the current literature. For that purpose, we performed a narrative literature review in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, analyzing 602 articles. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, imaging characteristics and diagnoses were investigated. VP is not a pathognomonic feature of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, but other oncologic and non-oncologic conditions should be considered. The list of differential diagnoses, based on our literature review, can be recalled with the mnemonic HEIGHT OF HOMO: H-Histiocytosis; E-Ewing's sarcoma; I-Infection; G-Giant cell tumor; H-Hematologic neoplasms; T-Tuberculosis; O-Osteogenesis imperfecta; F-Fracture; H-Hemangioma; O-Osteoblastoma; M-Metastasis; O-Osteomyelitis, chronic.