Objective To explore the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-short time inversion recovery (STIR) signal changes and computerized tomography (CT) fracture line types of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Methods The clinical data and MRI as well as CT imaging signs of 108 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures were retrospectively analyzed. The types of CT fracture lines and CT values of patients changed by different MRI-STIR signals were compared.

Results After MRI examination, a total of 121 vertebrae were fractured in the enrolled patients. STIR sequence showed 45 sections of black line signal, 36 sections of no homologous high signal and 40 sections of homologous high signal; CT showed that there were 51 cases of fracture line insertion, 33 cases of fracture cracking and 37 cases of microfracture. The positive rate of vertebral CT fracture line with intercalation type was significantly higher in patients with no homologous high signal and homologous high signal with MRI-STIR sequence (P < 0.05); the positive rate of vertebral CT fracture line with microfracture type in patients with homologous high signal on MRI-STIR sequence was significantly higher than that with black line signal and without homologous high signal (P < 0.05); the vertebral CT value of patients with black line signal shown in MRI-STIR sequence was significantly lower than that of patients without homologous high signal and homologous high signal (P < 0.05).

Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the changes of MRI-STIR signal and the type of CT fracture line. Patients with STIR sequences showing black line signals have a higher risk of vertebral impingement fracture and a poor prognosis.