Multilevel Thoracolumbar Spondylolysis with Spondylolisthesis at L4 on L5

A 24-year-old male patient was initially evaluated for persistent back pain. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7 points. Physical examination revealed a decreased range of lumbar spinal motion, which caused pain. Simple X-ray revealed Meyerding grade 1 spondylolisthesis at L4 on L5, with mild dome-shaped superior endplate and consecutive multilevel spondylolysis at T12-L5. Standing anteroposterior and lateral views of the entire spine revealed normal balance of sagittal and coronal alignment. A computed tomography scan revealed bilateral spondylolysis at T12-L4, left unilateral spondylolysis at L5, and spina bifida at L5 to sacral region. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed mild dural ectasia at the lumbar region. Due to the absence of any neurological symptoms, the patient was managed conservatively. He was rested a few weeks with corset brace and physiotherapy. After treatment, his back pain improved, VAS score changed from 7 to 2, and he was able to return to normal activity.

Cauda equina redundant nerve roots are associated to the degree of spinal stenosis and to spondylolisthesis / Associação entre a presença de raízes redundantes na cauda equina e a área seccional do saco dural avaliada por meio de ressonância magnética

To evaluate the association of redundant nerve roots of cauda equina (RNRCE) with the degree of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and with spondylolisthesis. Method After Institutional Board approval, 171 consecutive patients were retrospectively enrolled, 105 LSS patients and 66 patients without stenosis. The dural sac cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured on T2w axial MRI at the level of L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5 intervertebral discs. Two blinded radiologists classified cases as exhibiting or not RNRCE in MRI. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed. Results RNRCE were associated with LSS. RRNCE was more frequent when maximum stenosis<55 mm2. Substantial intra- observer agreement and moderate inter-observer agreement were obtained in the classification of RNRCE. Spondylolisthesis was identified in 27 patients and represented increased risk for RRNCE. Conclusion LSS is a risk factor for RNRCE, especially for dural sac CSA<55 mm2. LSS and spondylolisthesis are independent risk factors for RNRCE. .

Avaliar associação entre raízes nervosas redundantes da cauda eqüina (RNRCE) com grau de estenose do canal lombar (ECL) e espondilolistese. Método Após aprovação do Comitê de Ética, 171 pacientes foram selecionados retrospectivamente, 105 com ECL e 66 sem estenose. Foram realizadas mensurações da área seccional do saco dural em imagens axiais de RM ponderadas em T2 em L2/L3, L3/L4 e L4/L5. Presença ou não de RRNCE foi classificada de forma independente por dois radiologistas, às cegas. Concordância intra e inter-observador foi analisada. Resultados RNRCE foi associada à ECL e foi mais freqüente quando a máxima estenose encontrada foi <55mm2. Houve grande concordância intra-observador e moderada inter-observador na classificação das RRNCE. Espondilolistese foi identificada em 27 pacientes e representou maior risco para desenvolvimento de RNRCE. Conclusão ECL é fator de risco para RNRCE, especialmente com áreas seccionais <55mm2. ECL e espondilolistese representam fatores de risco independentes para desenvolvimento de RNRCE. .

Espondilolistesis lumbar degenerativa de un solo segmento tratada con espaciador interespinoso / Single-segment degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with an interspinous spacer

Antecedentes: El término de espondilolistesis degenerativa acuñado por Newman en 1963, es el deslizamiento hacia adelante de una vértebra inmediatamente inferior sin lisis ístmica. Se observa predominantemente en personas mayores de 40 años, con un predominio de 4:1 del sexo femenino, teniendo una prevalencia de 7.5% en hombres y 28% en mujeres, respectivamente en pacientes con lumbalgia mayores a 50 años. Material y métodos: Evaluar a un año el resultado del uso de espaciadores dinámicos en listesis grado 1 de Meyerding utilizando la escala de incapacidad de Oswestry. Se revisa el historial electrónico y radiográfico de los pacientes según los criterios en el período de Enero 2008 a Diciembre 2010 con el propósito de realizar un estudio de cohortes, retrospectivo, longitudinal y observacional. Resultados: El Oswestry prequirúrgico fue de 3.4% leve, 55.2% moderado y 41.4% severo; mientras que el postquirúrgico fue de 79.3% leve y 20.7% moderado. La cirugía más comúnmente realizada fue exploración y liberación con 72.4%, presentando discectomía únicamente en 27.6%. Los pacientes presentaron dolor irradiado a miembro pélvico derecho en 37.9%, miembro pélvico izquierdo en 44.8% y a ambos miembros pélvicos en 17.2%. Se presentó dolor postquirúrgico irradiado a miembro pélvico únicamente en 2.4%, siendo que en 100% de los casos presentaron algún tipo de dolor irradiado. Se utilizó espaciador DIAM en 79.3% y Wallis en 20.7%. Conclusiones: El tratamiento con espaciador interespinoso presenta un bajo índice de reintervención y, por lo menos a un año, presenta mejoría significativa en el índice de incapacidad.

Background: The term degenerative spondylolisthesis, coined by Newman in 1963, refers to the forward slippage of an immediately inferior vertebra without isthmic lysis. It occurs predominantly in individuals over 40 years of age and affects mainly women, with a female:male ratio of 4:1. Prevalence is 7.5% in males and 28% in females among patients over 50 years of age with low back pain. Material and methods: Assess the one-year results of the use of dynamic spacers for Meyerding grade 1 listhesis with the Oswestry disability scale. The patient's electronic and radiographic records from January 2008 to December 2010 were reviewed according to different criteria to conduct a retrospective, longitudinal and observational cohort study. Results: The preoperative Oswestry score was 3.4% mild, 55.2% moderate, and 42.4% severe; the postoperative score was 79.3% mild and 20.7% moderate. The most common surgical procedure was exploration and release in 72.4% of patients; only 27.6% underwent diskectomy. Pain irradiating to the right pelvic limb occurred in 37.9% of patients, to the left pelvic limb in 44.8%, and to both pelvic limbs in 17.2%. Only 2.4% of patients experienced postoperative pain that irradiated to the pelvic limb, as 100% of cases had some type of irradiating pain. A DIAM spacer was used in 79.3% and a Wallis device in 20.7%. Conclusions: Treatment with an interspinous spacer results in a low reoperation rate and, at least one year later, it resulted in a significant improvement in the disability rate.

Fusiones lumbosacras y deporte / Lumbosacral fusion and sports

Fueron tratados quirurgicamente 46 pacientes deportistas, portadores de patologia lumbosacra (hernias discales inestables, espondilolisis y espondilolistesis) a los que se les realizo una artrodesis del segmento LV - SI o LIV . LV - SI, con instrumentacion pedicular e injerto autologo de cresta iliaca. El objetivo de la presente publicacion analiza en forma retrospectiva los resultados obtenidos con las tecnicas de fusion y establece tiempos de reintegro deportivo despues de una cirugia de artrodesis. Por ultimo, evalua los grados de limitacion de la movilidad y biomecanica de los pacientes finalizado el proceso de rehabilitacion a los 6 meses de postoperatorio y al año del reintegro deportivo.

The orientation of facet joints and transverse articular dimension in degenerative spondylolisthesis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the orientation of facet joints, facet tropism and transverse articular dimension could play a role in degenerative spondylolisthesis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: MRI study of L4-5 level of twenty degenerative spondylolisthesis and age-matched twenty control group were included. The orientation of facet joints, transverse articular dimension (TAD) and cosine facet orientation of TAD were measured with two independent observers. RESULTS: The facet orientation of more than 43 degrees and cosine facet orientation of TAD less than 7.4 were statistically significant for developing degenerative spondylolisthesis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The facet orientation of degenerative spondylolisthesis patients was more sagittal orientation than the the control group, and the cosine facet orientation of TAD was also less than the control group.