Forensic medical evaluation of uncomplicated compression fractures of bodies of the thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine in children

The article considers compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar parts of the spine without neurological complications in children considering age features, their diagnosis by X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, as well as differential diagnosis with degenerative-dystrophic changes of different etiology. Routine X-ray is usually insufficient for forensic medical evaluation of uncomplicated compression fractures of the vertebral bodies without gross deformities, especially to decide the issue of the age of trauma. It is necessary to critically evaluate the established diagnosis and to analyze clinical and instrumental data, considering the completeness and accuracy of the studies to exclude overdiagnosis in the forensic examination of cases of compression fractures of the vertebral bodies. A case report demonstrating the use of MRI to determine the volume and age of trauma is presented.