Abstract
A persistent notochordal canal is a rare anomaly that is generally discovered by chance. The radiographic appearance of this entity is characteristic and usually does not require further investigation. However, in some cases plain films may fail to depict this appearance, and computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for final diagnosis. We report the MRI findings of a young woman with persistent notochordal canal who, based on plain radiographs, had first been misdiagnosed as having a compression fracture.