Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate differentiating features of spinal compression fracturesbetween benign and metastatic lesions. Materials and methods : We reviewed MR imaging in 52 patients (benign 38,metastasis 14) with vertebral compression fracture. Signal intensity of fracture and uninvolved areas, presence ofcontrast enhancement, fragmentation, and paravertebral mass were analyzed retrospectively. Results : Signalintensity of fracture site was variable in benign lesions, but low signal intensity on T1-weighted image and highon T2*-weighted image were seen in all cases of metastasis. Signal intensity of uninvolved area was high onT1-weighted image and low on T2*-weighted image in 84% of benign lesions. On the contrary, normal marrow signalintensity was not seen in the uninvolved areas of all metastatic fractures. Contrast enhancement were observed inall cases of benign & metastatic compression fractures. Fragmentation were seen in 1 case of metastasis(7%) and in11 cases of benign lesions(29%). Paravertebral mass were seen in 5 cases of metastasis(36%) and in 7 cases ofbenign lesions(18%). Conclusion : Presence of normal marrow signal intensity in the uninvolved area of fracturesite could be the most useful sign for differentiating benign causes from metastasis.