Spondylolysis is the term used for a defect in the pars interarticularis of the vertebra. The term is from the Greek roots spondylos, meaning vertebra, and lysis, meaning break or defect. Spondylolisthesis is from spondylos and listhesis, meaning movement or slipping, and refers to the slipping forward of one vertebra on the next caudal vertebra. Spondylolisthesis was first described in 1782 by...

BACKGROUND Limited z-axis-coverage computed tomography (CT) to evaluate for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis, altering the technique such that the dose to the patient is comparable or lower than radiographs, is currently used at our institution. The objective of the study was to determine whether volumetric 3-dimensional fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) can provide equal or grea...

PURPOSE To document the occurrence of isolated dorsal subluxation of posterior elements in cases of lumbar spondylolysis without spondylolisthesis both quantitatively (using spinal canal measurements) and qualitatively (by visual inspection) on sagittal MR images. METHODS Retrospective analysis identified 63 patients with lumbar spondylolysis (confirmed by CT or conventional radiography) who ...

Progression of spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis in adults is very rare. It is always accompanied by disc degeneration at the slip level, or at a lower level. The intervertebral disc is indeed the main structure that opposes the anteriorly directed shear forces. Of course, the disc degeneration might also be a consequence, rather than a cause of the slip. The authors describe an unusual case o...

Lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common spinal disorders that most of the times are incidental findings or respond favorably to conservative treatment. In a small percentage of the patients, surgical intervention becomes necessary. Because too much attention has been paid to novel surgical techniques and new modern spinal implants, some of fundamental concepts have been forgotten....

Thirty-four bony specimens of isthmic spondylolysis were examined and, in a significant number (32%), stenosis of the intervertebral foramen was noted. Although not emphasised in previous reports, this finding may be an important factor in the aetiology of nerve root compression when this is associated with spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. Anatomical guidelines for adequate surgical decompr...

PURPOSE To review outcome of 44 children who underwent conservative or surgical treatment for spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. METHODS Records of 25 male and 19 female children aged 5 to 14 (mean, 10.2) years who underwent conservative (n=39) or surgical (n=5) treatment for spondylolysis (n=19) or spondylolisthesis (n=25) were reviewed. Conservative treatment involved application of a thor...

The most common procedure for surgical treatment of lumbar spondylolysis is intertransverse processes spinal arthrodesis with instrumentation. However, this procedure is associated with significant morbidity on long-term follow up. Direct repair of spondylolysis is an alternative method for preservation of motion segment and anatomic continuity in young adults with multiple level spondylolysis....

Spondylolysis is aunilateral or bilateralanatomical defect of pars interarticularis vertebral arch and commonly occurs at L5-S1 level (85-95%) L4-5level (5-15%). It one the most common causes lower back pain (LBP), prevalent in approximately 6% population can progress to spondylolisthesiswhich turn cause radiculopathy. Although majority patients may remain asymptomatic, symptomatic early stages...

Progressive spondylolisthesis may occur in adults with isthmic spondylolysis with an estimated incidence of 20%. This biomechanical study showed that in adult spines with bilateral L5 pars fractures, an anterior slip of L5 depends on the extent of the load-bearing deficiency of the disc and the presence of shear force across L5-S1. A combination of disc degeneration and muscle dysfunction may b...