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. 2013:2013:272514.
doi: 10.1155/2013/272514. Epub 2013 Sep 26.

Lumbar spondylolysis in juveniles from the same family: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

Atsuhisa Yamada  1 , Koichi Sairyo, Isao Shibuya, Ko Kato, Akira Dezawa, Toshinori Sakai
Affiliations

Lumbar spondylolysis in juveniles from the same family: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

Atsuhisa Yamada et al. Case Rep Orthop. 2013.

Abstract

Spondylolysis is reported as a stress fracture of the pars interarticularis with a strong hereditary basis. Three cases of lumbar spondylolysis in juveniles from the same family are reported, and the genetics of the condition are reviewed. The first boy, a 13-year-old soccer player, was diagnosed with terminal stage L5 bilateral spondylolysis with grade 1 slippage. The second boy, a 10-year-old baseball player, had terminal stage right side unilateral spondylolysis. The third boy, also a 10-year-old baseball player, was diagnosed with early stage bilateral L5 spondylolysis. The second and third boys are identical twins, and all three cases exhibited concomitant spina bifida occulta. Lumbar spondylolysis has a strong hereditary basis and is reported to be an autosomal dominant condition.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Plain radiographs of Case 1. Spina bifida occulta (SBO) and L5 isthmic olisthesis are obvious.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) of Case 1. Note the concomitant existence of L5 bilateral spondylolysis and SBO.
Figure 3
Figure 3
CT of Case 1. L5 spondylolysis is considered to be at the terminal stage (i.e., pseudoarthrosis).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sagittal short tau inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (STIR-MRI) of Case 1. Note the effusion in the pars defects and in the adjacent facet joints. These findings correspond with communicating synovitis.
Figure 5
Figure 5
3D-CT of Case 2. Note the concomitant existence of the right side L5 unilateral spondylolysis and SBO.
Figure 6
Figure 6
CT of Case 2. The right side unilateral L5 spondylolysis is considered to be at the terminal stage.
Figure 7
Figure 7
STIR-MRI of Case 3. Note the high signal changes of the pedicle, indicating marrow edema. This is a sign that the adjacent pars would have an early stage stress fracture of the pars interarticularis.
Figure 8
Figure 8
CT of Case 3. The left pars shows bony absorption, indicating the beginning of a stress fracture of the pars.
Figure 9
Figure 9
3D-CT of Case 3. Note the concomitant SBO.
Figure 10
Figure 10
3D-CT of Cases  1–3, all showing similar structures.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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