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Basivertebral Vein

vena basivertebralis

The basivertebral veins are large, valveless vessels running through the central cancellous bone of each vertebral body, draining into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus through the posterior vertebral surface. They are responsible for the characteristic Y- or inverted-V-shaped signal void on MRI within the vertebral body.

Region: Lower Back

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Basivertebral veins are the entry point for basivertebral nerve ablation, an emerging treatment for chronic discogenic low back pain. The basivertebral nerve runs alongside these veins through the vertebral body foramen and innervates the vertebral end plates. Radiofrequency ablation at the basivertebral foramen denervates the end plate. Cement injected during vertebroplasty can enter the basivertebral vein and embolise to the pulmonary circulation — a feared complication.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Vertebroplasty Cement Embolism

Cement leakage into the basivertebral vein during vertebroplasty allowing cement to reach the internal vertebral plexus and pulmonary veins, producing pulmonary cement emboli detectable on chest CT.