Showing posts with label Dimitris N. Lyras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dimitris N. Lyras. Show all posts

Monday, February 15, 2010

Progression of spondylolysis to isthmic spondylolisthesis



Introduction

-The pars interarticularis is an area of force concentration and is subject to failure with repetitive stress.
-Spondylolysis is a bilateral defect in the pars interarticularis. 
-Such a defect diminishes the stabilizing ability of the posterior elements in the spinal motion segment and may lead to isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Case report

In November 1993, a 32 year-old man who was working as a aircraft engineer, clinically asymptomatic, attended the annuall medical assessment of his department, were radiographs (standing anteroposterior and lateral views of the lumbar spine) revealed bilateral spondylolysis in L4-L5 level, without spondylolysthesis (Figure 1A and 1B).