High-grade dysplastic spondylolisthesis and spondyloptosis: report of three cases with surgical treatment and review of the literature

Abstract

High-grade dysplastic spondylolisthesis is extremely rare and always involves the L5-S1 level. It is attributed to congenital dysplasia of the superior articular process of the sacrum. It can remain asymptomatic for a long time and can progress to a more severe grade of olisthesis and spondyloptosis. Surgical treatment has varied from posterior-only in situ fusion to anterior and posterior fusion with complete reduction. Three cases of symptomatic high-grade (4th and 5th grade) dysplastic spondylolisthesis treated surgically with reduction and fusion are presented. Interbody fusion at the level of olisthesis is crucial.