Attempting to ascertain the underlying cause of a vertebral compression deformity may present a diagnostic dilemma because spine is a common site for metastasis, osteoporotic fractures, metabolic diseases, neoplasms and infective lesions. Differentiating malignant compression fracture from a benign process with information from clinical findings, use of plain radiographs, bone scans and computed tomography may not be sufficient, in particular for those without a history of obvious trauma or known malignancy MRI is a useful imaging modality for the early differentiation between benign and malignant vertebral fractures. We are presenting a pictorial essay depicting various imaging findings of benign and malignant vertebral collapse.