Lumbar facet anatomy changes in spondylolysis: a comparative skeletal study

Opinions differ as to the exact mechanism responsible for spondylolysis (SP) and whether individuals with specific morphological characteristics of the lumbar vertebral neural arch are predisposed to SP. The aim of our study was to reveal the association between SP and the architecture of lumbar articular facets and the inter-facet region. Methods: Using a Microscribe three-dimensional apparatus (Immersion Co., San Jose, CA, USA), length, width and depth of all articular facets and all inter-facet distances in the lumbar spine (L1–L5) were measured. From the Hamann-Todd Human Osteological Collection (Cleveland Museum of Natural History, OH, USA) 120 normal male skeletons with lumbar spines in the control group and 115 with bilateral SP at L5 were selected. Analysis of variance was employed to examine the differences between spondylolytic and normal spines. Results: Three profound differences between SP and the norm appeared: (1) in individuals with SP, the size and shape of L4’s neural arch had significantly greater inter-facet widths, significantly shorter inter-facet heights and significantly shorter and narrower articular facets; (2) only in the L4 vertebra in individuals with SP was the inferior inter-facet width greater in size than the superior inter-facet width of the vertebra below (L5) (38.7 mm versus 40 mm); (3) in all lumbar vertebrae, the right inferior articular facets in individuals with SP were flatter compared to the control group. Conclusions: Individuals with L4 “SP” characteristics are at a greater risk of developing fatigue fractures in the form of spondylolysis at L5.     

腰椎峡部裂的MRI评价

目的 :描述腰椎峡部裂的MRI表现 ,探讨MRI在本病中的诊断价值。方法 :回顾性分析经X线平片或CT证实的 2 9例腰椎峡部裂患者 (单纯崩裂 5例、崩裂滑脱 2 4例 )及 2 5例退行性腰椎滑脱患者的MRI检查资料 ,并对崩裂滑脱与退行性滑脱的MRI表现进行对比分析。结果 :2 9例峡部裂患者双侧椎弓峡部均出现不规则状T1WI低信号、T2 WI低或高信号骨性缺损。单纯崩裂组椎管前后径 19.0mm± 2 .7mm ,不伴有脊柱滑脱、椎间盘假性膨出及椎间孔变形 ;3例患椎棘突基底部与硬膜囊之间存在脂肪间隙 ;所有患椎棘突基底部均位于上下棘突基底部连线前方。崩裂滑脱组椎管前后径2 5 4mm± 4 .4mm ,均伴有脊柱滑脱、椎间盘假性膨出、椎间孔变形 ;患椎棘突基底部与硬膜囊之间均存在脂肪间隙 ;患椎棘突基底部位于上下棘突基底部连线后方 2 3例 ,稍前方 1例。退行性滑脱组椎弓峡部完整 ,无骨性缺损 ;椎管前后径15 2mm± 1.6mm ,明显小于崩裂滑脱组 (t =10 .87,P <0 .0 1) ,2 5例均伴有椎间盘假性膨出及椎间孔变形 ;患椎棘突基底部与硬膜囊之间无脂肪间隙 2 4例 ,存在线状脂肪间隙 1例 ;患椎棘突基底部均位于上下棘突基底部连线前方。结论 :腰椎峡部裂有特征性MRI表现 ,MRI可为临床评价该病提供正确、全面的影像学证据     

Symptomatic cervical spondylolysis

We report a case of cervical spondylolysis, unusual in that it was associated with spinal cord compression.     

斜外侧椎间融合术与微创经椎间孔入路腰椎椎间融合术治疗单节段轻中度腰椎滑脱的临床疗效

目的 比较斜外侧椎间融合术（OLIF）与微创经椎间孔入路腰椎椎间融合术（MIS-TLIF）治疗单节段轻中度腰椎滑脱的临床疗效和影像学结果。方法 2015年2月—2018年2月,收治单节段轻中度腰椎滑脱患者48例,其中22例采用OLIF治疗（OLIF组）,26例采用MIS-TLIF治疗（MIS-TLIF组）。记录2组手术时间、术中出血量、住院时间及并发症发生情况;术前及术后1周、1个月、6个月及末次随访时采用疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分和Oswestry功能障碍指数（ODI）评估腰腿痛程度及腰椎功能。术前及末次随访时在影像学资料上测量腰椎前凸角（LL）、手术节段Cobb角、椎间高度（DH）、椎管横截面积（CSA）及椎间孔面积（FA）。结果 所有手术顺利完成,所有患者随访24~45个月,平均32.8个月。OLIF组手术时间、术中出血量及住院时间明显少于MIS-TLIF组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。2组术后各随访时间点VAS评分和ODI较术前明显改善,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;术后1周OLIF组VAS评分和ODI优于MIS-TLIF组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。2组末次随访时LL、手术节段Cobb角、DH、椎管CSA和FA较术前明显改善,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;末次随访时OLIF组LL、手术节段Cobb角、DH和FA矫正值优于MIS-TLIF组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 与MIS-TLIF相比,OLIF治疗单节段轻中度腰椎滑脱具有手术时间短、术中出血量少、更好地恢复腰椎生理曲度、早期缓解疼痛、恢复腰椎功能等优势,值得临床推广使用。     

单枚或双枚cage椎间融合联合椎弓根螺钉固定治疗峡部裂性腰椎滑脱症疗效的比较

目的:比较单枚cage或双枚cage椎间融合联合椎弓根螺钉固定治疗峡部裂性腰椎滑脱症的疗效。方法:对2000年3月至2008年8月手术治疗的172例峡部裂性腰椎滑脱症患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,172例患者均采用后路椎弓根螺钉固定椎间融合术。其中使用单枚cage融合89例(单枚组),男56例,女33例;年龄18~63岁,平均(41.60±8.20)岁;L_4滑脱25例,L_5滑脱64例;MeyerdingⅠ度滑脱32例,Ⅱ度46例,Ⅲ度11例。双枚cage融合83例(双枚组),男49例,女34例;年龄20~65岁,平均(43.30±6.39)岁;L_4滑脱21例,L_5滑脱62例;MeyerdingⅠ度滑脱25例,Ⅱ度45例,Ⅲ度13例。比较两种手术方式的手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、植骨融合率、椎间隙高度以及临床症状改善情况。结果:所有患者顺利完成手术并获得随访,随访时间18~83个月,平均4年3个月。单枚组平均手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量均少于双枚组(P0.05)。术后2周两组椎间隙高度均较术前明显增高,末次随访时两组差异无统计学意义。术后16个月,X线片示两组患者椎体间植骨均骨性融合。末次随访时两组患者JOA、ODI、VAS评分差异均无统计学意义,无椎弓根螺钉松动、断裂情况发生。结论 :单枚cage椎间融合联合椎弓根螺钉固定治疗峡部裂性腰椎滑脱症与双枚cage椎间融合临床效果相同,且具有手术时间短、出血量少等优点,是一种安全有效的手术方式。     

经峡部内固定植骨治疗腰椎峡部不连

本文介绍一种手术治疗腰椎峡部不连和轻度滑脱的新方法。手术直接在峡部缺损处修整植骨，并采用通过峡部缺损间隙的加压螺钉和环绕双侧横突基底部至棘突下缘的节段性横突钢丝作内固定，以期使峡部缺损处达到骨性愈合，恢复椎弓的连续性。临床应用本方法治疗腰椎峡部不连和轻度滑脱１７例，均获近期（术后７～２５个月）的随访。Ｘ线复查示植骨愈合１６例，骨性愈合率９４％。按Ｈｅｎｄｅｒｓｏｎ标准评价，临床优良率达９４％。     

Posterior arch defects of the cervical spine

Spondylolysis and absence of the pedicle are congenital anomalies of the posterior cervical spine. Their roentgenographic changes may be confused with other more serious entities which may necessitate either emergent therapy or require extensive diagnostic testing and treatment. Four cases are present and the literature is reviewed. A hypothesis for the embryologic etiology of these entities is proposed.     

Radiological findings and healing patterns of incomplete stress fractures of the pars interarticularis

Objective The objective was to retrospectively record the CT and MRI features and healing patterns of acute, incomplete stress fractures of the pars interarticularis. Method The CT scans of 156 adolescents referred with suspected pars interarticularis stress fractures were reviewed. Patients with incomplete (grade 2) pars fractures were included in the study. Fractures were assessed on CT according to vertebral level, location of cortical involvement and direction of fracture propagation. MRI was also performed in 72 of the 156 cases. MRI images of incomplete fractures were assessed for the presence of marrow oedema and cortical integrity. Fracture healing patterns were characterised on follow-up CT imaging. Results Twenty-five incomplete fractures were identified in 23 patients on CT. All fractures involved the inferior or infero-medial cortex of the pars and propagated superiorly or superolaterally. Ninety-two percent of incomplete fractures demonstrated either complete or partial healing on follow-up imaging. Two (8%) cases progressed to complete fractures. Thirteen incomplete fractures in 11 patients confirmed on CT also had MRI, and 92% demonstrated oedema in the pars. Ten out of thirteen fractures (77%) showed a break in the infero-medial cortex with intact supero-lateral cortex, which correlated with the CT findings. MRI incorrectly graded one case as a complete (grade 3) fracture, and 2 cases as (grade 1) stress reaction. Six fractures had follow-up MRI, 67% showed partial or complete cortical healing, and the same number showed persistent marrow oedema. Conclusions Incomplete fracture of the pars interarticularis represents a stage of the evolution of a complete stress fracture. The direction of fracture propagation is consistent, and complete healing can be achieved in most cases with appropriate clinical management. CT best demonstrates fracture size and extent, and is the most appropriate modality for follow-up. MRI is limited in its ability to fully depict the cortical integrity of incomplete fractures of the pars, but the presence of marrow oedema on fat-saturated T2-weighted sequences is a useful means of detecting acute spondylolysis.     

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine are rare entities. The nomenclature and detailed anatomic features of these conditions are discussed. Four new cases are presented and the world literature is reviewed.Picker Scholar, James Picker Foundation     

Bilateral cervical spondylolysis of C7

Background context

Cervical spondylolysis, which is defined as a cleft between the superior and inferior articular facets of the articular pillar, is a rare condition. The sixth cervical vertebra (C6) is the level most commonly affected. Cases involving C2, C3, C4, or C5 have also been reported. However, to date, no case of C7 spondylolysis has been reported.

Purpose

To present a rare case of bilateral spondylolysis of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) in a 58-year-old man.

Study design

A case report.

Methods

A 58-year-old man visited our hospital with chronic posterior neck pain radiating to the left upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed left foraminal disc herniations at C5–C6 and C6–C7. Cervical spondylolysis involving C7 was discovered incidentally during computed tomography (CT)–guided transforaminal steroid injection. Plain radiographs, CT images, and MRIs were reviewed thoroughly once again.

Results

The patient’s symptoms were relieved after he received CT-guided transforaminal steroid injections. Plain radiographs revealed a radiolucent defect in the articular pillar and cleft at the spinous process of C7. Computed tomography confirmed bilateral spondylolysis and spina bifida occulta of the C7 vertebra. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed absence of edema, which was suggestive of a chronic lesion.

Conclusion

Involvement of C7 is not exceptional in a case of cervical spondylolysis.