Oppenheimers accessory ossicle and clinical significance: A narrative review

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

Overall, this narrative review aims to present a depth of knowledge regarding the significance of Oppenheimer's ossicle (OO) and its clinical effects on a wide range of scales. We conducted a narrative review of OO and a report on its anatomy, development, location, characteristics, clinical importance, differential diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment methods. The failure of secondary ossification centers at the inferior articular processes of the lumbal vertebrae causes OO with a 0.5–7% prevalence. CT, MDCT, or SPECT are mostly used in the differential diagnosis of OO. A horizontal cleft can separate this accessory ossicle from the tip of the superior/inferior articular process, and it frequently interacts with the articular surfaces. It can be managed by analgesics, physical therapy, facet block, conservative treatment, or surgery. The current study contributes to the literature underlying the presence of an OO as an accessory bone for undetermined lower back pain and also indicates the developmental process and differential diagnosis of this ossicle. It also highlights that recognizing this ossicle is essential for the proper treatment methods.