Kummell disease, or avascular necrosis of a vertebral body, presents as 
vertebral osteonecrosis typically affecting a thoracic vertebra with compression 
deformity, intravertebral vacuum cleft, and exaggerated kyphosis weeks to months 
after a minor traumatic injury. This rare disease is increasing in prevalence 
secondary to an aging population and the associated rise in osteoporosis. 
Treatment with vertebroplasty or surgical decompression and fusion is often 
required. We present a classic case of Kummell disease to illustrate the salient 
features of the condition, with associated imaging findings on computed 
tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.