RESUMEN
BACKGROUND:It is difficult to expose bilateral facet joints in L5 spondylolysis patients compared with non-spondylolysis patients. Thus, vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolysis patients can be used as indirect diagnostic signs that play key roles in the diagnosis of spondylolysis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the ratio of vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolytic vertebra and the relationship between the lumbar spondylolysis and the relative spacing of articular process. METHODS:(1) Analysis of anatomical structure characteristics and diagnostic methods of lumbar spondylolysis:The ratio of vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolytic vertebra in diagnosing feasibility of lumbar spondylolysis was analyzed. (2) A total of 23 patients with L5 spondylolysis from Department of Orthopedics, Puyang Oilfield General Hospital and 30 normal controls were col ected from April 2013 to February 2015. The ratio of vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolytic vertebra was measured between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The ratio of vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolytic vertebra reflected that the occurrence of L5 spondylolysis was probably associated with the width of L5 vertebral facet joint spacing. (2) Clinical trial results showed that the ratio of vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolytic vertebra in L5 spondylolysis patients was higher than normal controls. (3) Results indicate that the ratio of vertebral facet joint spacing and height in L5 spondylolytic vertebra reflects the occurrence of L5 spondylolysis.