Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis

Case contributed by Essam G Ghonaim
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Long standing low back pain and no recent history of trauma.

Patient Data

Age: 54
Gender: Female

Defect of the pars interarticularis of L4 with a mild forward slippage of that vertebra in relation to L5. Defect of the pars interarticularis of L2 with no slippage seen.  

Annotated image

x-ray

Defect of the pars interarticularis of L4 (blue arrow) with a mild forward slippage of that vertebra in relation to L5 (red lines). Defect of the pars interarticularis of L2 (green arrow) with no slippage seen (black lines).  

Case Discussion

This case is simply intended to clearly show the difference between spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis being seen in the same patient. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.