You are in: eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > MUSCULOSKELETAL SpondylolysisArticle Last Updated: Jan 7, 2008AUTHOR AND EDITOR INFORMATIONSection 1 of 9
  Author: Eric P Weinberg, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital Eric P Weinberg is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Radiology, American Roentgen Ray Society, and Radiological Society of North America Editors: Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand; William R Reinus, MD, MBA, FACR, Professor of Radiology, Temple University; Chief of Musculoskeletal and Trauma Radiology, Vice Chair, Department of Radiology, Temple University Hospital; Robert M Krasny, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute; Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, EdM, Professor, Department of Radiology, Vice Chairman for Radiology Informatics, Section Head of Musculoskeletal Radiology, University of Washington Author and Editor Disclosure Synonyms and related keywords: pars defect, neural arch defect, pars interarticularis defect, spondylolisthesis INTRODUCTIONSection 2 of 9
  BackgroundSpondylolysis is a common clinical condition that can result in low back pain. Patients with spondylolysis have a defect in the pars interarticularis of the neural arch, that portion of the neural arch that connects the superior and inferior articular facets.1, 2, 3, 4 PathophysiologySpondylolysis is believed to be caused by repeated microtrauma, resulting in stress fracture of the pars interarticularis. Heredity also is believed to be a factor. Patients with spina bifida occulta have an increased risk for spondylolysis. Approximately 95% of cases of spondylolysis occur at the L5 level. Lyses can occur much less commonly at other lumbar or the thoracic levels. Involvement of multiple levels is rare. The process may be unilateral or bilateral.2, 5 Patients with bilateral pars defects can progress to spondylolisthesis. The degree of slippage of adjacent vertebral bodies varies and can progress over time.6 See also the following related topics in eMedicine: Spina Bifida Management of Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus and Shunts Spondylolisthesis, Spondylolysis, and Spondylosis Spondylolisthesis See also the following related topics in Medscape: Resource Center Spinal Disorders CME Surgery Yields Better Outcomes vs Conservative Treatment of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis FrequencyUnited StatesApproximately 3-7% of the general population (14 million people) have spondylolysis. In certain athletes, the incidence increases to 23-62%. Mortality/MorbiditySpondylolysis can result in significant morbidity. This occurs most often in athletes who may be forced to stop competing and training in their sport for significant periods. A permanent inability to participate in a particular sport also is possible.2, 7 Patients with bilateral spondylolysis can progress to significant spondylolisthesis.6 SexSpondylolysis is 2-4 times more common in men than in women. AgeSpondylolysis can be seen in both children and adults. The reported incidence of spondylolysis at age 6 years is 4.4%. Most believe that the prevalence of spondylolysis increases with age and correlates with the high rate of failure of these fractures to heal.8 AnatomySpondylolysis is a defect seen in the pars interarticularis portion of the lamina. On oblique radiographs, the posterior elements form the appearance of a Scottie dog. A break in the pars interarticularis can have the appearance of a collar around the neck. Clinical DetailsSpondylolysis commonly is asymptomatic. Symptomatic patients often have pain with extension and/or rotation of the lumbar spine.1 Approximately 25% of individuals with spondylolysis have symptoms at some time. Athletes who participate in sports such as soccer, baseball, football, wrestling, gymnastics, and tennis are more likely to have symptomatic spondylolysis at some point.2, 7 Preferred ExaminationPatients with suspected spondylolysis should be evaluated initially with plain radiography, consisting of anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique views of the lumbar spine. The lateral views are most sensitive for detection of pars fractures, and the oblique views are most specific.9, 10 If plain radiographs are negative or inconclusive, further imaging may be warranted. MRI, CT, and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) bone scintigraphy are used to further evaluate these patients. Controversy surrounds the designation of one of these tests as most useful in the evaluation of spondylolysis.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Some investigators and practicing radiologists believe that after normal radiographs have been obtained, MRI of the lumbar spine should be next. However, the examination must be performed with thin-section images (3 mm) and at relatively high resolution (256 x 192 matrix). Imaging should be obtained in 2 planes, sagittal and axial. Obtain T1-weighted (short recovery time [TR]/echo time [TE]) and T2-weighted (long TR/TE) with fat suppression images. Usually, this type of MRI examination requires a high-field magnet (minimum of 1 T).11, 12, 17, 19 CT of the lumbar spine can be performed after obtaining radiographs or after an equivocal MRI. Perform the examination with stacked thin (2 mm) axial sections through the portion of the spine in question. Perform sagittal reconstructions. However, even without reconstructions, pars fractures can be identified on CT because of the absence of a complete ring of bony structures at a given vertebral level.14, 19 Nuclear medicine SPECT bone scintigraphy also can be obtained after plain radiographs. The nuclear medicine SPECT examination can provide images in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. The spatial resolution of SPECT bone scintigraphy is less than that of CT or MRI.18 Limitations of TechniquesRadiography of the lumbar spine is limited by its inability to detect stress reactions in the pars interarticularis that have not progressed to complete fracture.1, 9, 10, 20, 21, 22 CT of the lumbar spine is not sensitive for detecting early acute stress reactions in the pars interarticularis where there is only marrow edema and microtrabecular fracture.17, 20 These findings are not visible on CT but are observed easily on MRI; thus, MRI of the lumbar spine can easily identify acute stress reactions in the pars interarticularis. However, direct identification of pars defects may be slightly more difficult with MRI than with CT. The presence of facet osteophytes combined with volume averaging occasionally can obscure the presence of the pars defect in the sagittal plane.21 Nuclear medicine SPECT bone scintigraphy easily identifies acute stress reaction in the pars interarticularis; however, anatomic details such as the pars defect cannot be identified directly with bone scan. This means that old lyses usually are not seen.22 DIFFERENTIALSSection 3 of 9
Osteoid Osteoma Osteomyelitis, Acute Pyogenic Stress Fracture Other Problems to Be ConsideredFacet arthritis
RADIOGRAPHSection 4 of 9
FindingsOn lateral radiographs, the most sensitive projection, spondylolysis appears as a linear lucency in the pars interarticularis (see Image 3, Image 5). This lucency also can be seen on oblique radiographs, the most specific projection. If spondylolysis is bilateral, the defect should be visible on both the right and left obliques. However, at times the fracture is obscured. The lucency seen in the pars interarticularis on oblique radiographs has been termed the collar on the neck of the Scottie dog.9, 10, 20, 21 Secondary radiographic signs exist that occasionally are seen in association with spondylolysis. These include sclerosis of the contralateral pedicle and the presence of spina bifida occulta at the level of the lysis.9 Degree of ConfidenceWhen a pars defect is identified on lumbar spine radiographs, further imaging usually is not needed. False Positives/NegativesFalse-positive diagnoses of spondylolysis on radiographs of the lumbar spine are uncommon. One possible cause of a false-positive result is bowel gas superimposed over the region of the pars interarticularis that simulates the lucency of the pars defect.9 False-negative diagnoses of spondylolysis occur when the lucent defect in the pars interarticularis is not seen or when there is a radiographically occult stress reaction without lysis. Nonvisualization of the pars defect occurs if the plane of the defect lies near the sagittal plane.9 CT SCANSection 5 of 9
FindingsSpondylolysis on CT of the lumbar spine is seen as a linear lucency or defect extending through the pars interarticularis. In some patients, fragmentation of the pars interarticularis may be seen. These findings are identified most easily on sagittal reconstructions of the axial images (see Image 4). On axial images, a pars defect can be identified easily by virtue of the absence of a complete bony ring at any given vertebral level.14, 19 Degree of ConfidenceWhen spondylolysis is seen on CT of the lumbar spine, further imaging is not needed. False Positives/NegativesFalse-negative CT of the lumbar spine can occur when an acute stress reaction in the pars interarticularis is seen that has not progressed to fracture or fragment. MRISection 6 of 9
FindingsSpondylolysis on MRI of the lumbar spine has a variable appearance that depends on the timing of the examination. Patients with an acute stress reaction have increased signal on long TR (T2-weighted) images in the pars interarticularis (see Image 1). This represents marrow edema. On short TR (T1-weighted) images, decreased signal is seen in the pars interarticularis (see Image 2).11, 12, 17, 23 Patients with an actual fracture of the pars interarticularis have a discontinuity or fragmentation of the pars interarticularis that is seen best on sagittal short TR images. On long TR images, signal may be decreased in the pars if the process is chronic, indicating reactive sclerosis. If a pars defect is found with increased signal on long TR images, this indicates a subacute process.11, 12 Degree of ConfidenceWhen spondylolysis is seen on MRI, no further imaging is required. This applies to stress reaction in the pars, as well as fractures.11, 12 False Positives/NegativesA false-positive MRI of the lumbar spine rarely occurs when active facet joint arthropathy with reactive marrow edema is seen in the pars interarticularis.11, 12 Typically, this should have a different appearance than an acute stress reaction in the pars. With arthropathy, edema extends beyond the pars and, possibly, at more than 1 level. A false-negative MRI of the lumbar spine may occur in the setting of facet joint arthropathy with facet osteophytes that obscure the pars defect. NUCLEAR MEDICINESection 7 of 9
FindingsSpondylolysis is seen on methylene diphosphonate technetium-99m bone scan with SPECT as increased activity in the pars interarticularis (see Images 6-8). This finding typically represents an acute stress reaction in which radiographs of the lumbar spine do not reveal a defect in the pars. Healing stress reactions also may show increased activity in the pars interarticularis. Old defects of the pars interarticularis may not show increased activity. On planar imaging, increased activity in the pars interarticularis may be mistaken for osteoarthritis in the facet joints.18 Degree of ConfidenceIf increased activity is seen in the pars interarticularis, additional imaging may be needed. Correlation with lumbar spine radiographs is recommended. If radiographs are negative for spondylolysis, consider further imaging with either MRI or CT. Other causes of increased activity may exist in the region of the pars that are not related to spondylolysis. False Positives/NegativesFalse-positive diagnoses of spondylolysis include facet joint arthritis, infection, and osteoid osteoma. All of these can cause increased activity in the region of the pars similar to that seen with spondylolysis. False-negative diagnoses can occur in the setting of chronic spondylolysis. In this situation, normal activity usually is seen in the region of the pars interarticularis. MULTIMEDIASection 8 of 9
REFERENCESSection 9 of 9
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