We describe two cases of atypical acute Schmörl's nodes, one benign, the other on a tumoral vertebra. In both cases, MR imaging showed a decreased vertebral T1 signal and a slightly increased T2 signal. These signal intensities are indistinguishable from tumoral disease or inflammatory lesions. The identification of endplate defects or intranuclear cleft bending of the disk by either CT or MR may be helpful for the correct diagnosis of acute Schmörl's nodes.