Bilateral L2 spondylolysis

Case contributed by Nick Tarasov
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Low back pain.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
mri
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T2
This study is a stack
Sagittal
T1
This study is a stack
Axial
T2
This study is a stack
Coronal
STIR
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Info

There is a bilateral defect of the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch at the L2 level.

Increased size of the vertebral canal in sagittal direction at the L2 level, specific finding in spondylolysis.

Discoosteophytic complexes at the L2-S1 levels more prominent at the L3-L4 level, moderate intervertebral foramen stenosis at the L2-L3 level.

Intact spinal cord and meninges.

Annotated image
Parasagittal
plane
Axial L2
level
Axial L3
level
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Info
  • bilateral defect of the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch at L2 level
  • increased size of the vertebral canal in sagittal direction at L2 level

Case Discussion

Bilateral spondylolysis is usually seen at the L4-S1 levels. There is a rare localisation on the L2 level with a slight anterolisthesis and associated degenerative change, probably accounting for the patient's low back pain.

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