Spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis and spondylosis, with osteoporosis and bilateral L5 sacralization
Presentation
Slipped on floor 6 months ago. Low back pain since then. Chronic kidney disease for several years.
Patient Data
X-Ray Lumbar Spine B/V
Generalized reduction of bony density. Straightening of lumbar lordosis.
Sacralization of L5 vertebra on both sides.
Partial height loss of left half of L5 vertebra, producing "lateral wedging".
Osteophytes at multiple vertebral bodies.
Grade-II anterolisthesis of L4 over L5 vertebral body, accompanied by fracture at pars interarticularis.
Disc space reduction at L4/L5 level, with vacuum degeneration and sclerosis of facing end-plates.
Case Discussion
This is a case that demonstrates multiple vertebral pathologies in a single image.
The primary pathology of this patient is her renal disease, while her advanced age and bilateral L5 sacralization play a contributory role.
Flexibility at the lumbosacral junction is reduced due to sacralization of L5, and this allowed L4 vertebra to slip over L5 when the patient fell on the floor.
Advanced age itself causes osteoporosis in women, which is aggravated by her chronic kidney disease (CKD). That is how a simple slip on the floor (so simple that the patient and her family did not feel the need to seek medical advice at that time) resulted in pars fracture (L4) as well as compression fracture (L5).
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