The influence on isthmic spondylolisthesis from lumbar vertebras facet joint orientation variation / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the influence on isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) from lumbar vertebras facet joint orientation (FJO) variation. Methods The lumbar vertebras of 60 patients scanned by 16-slices spiral CT were collected, 30 cases with IS was defined as isthmic group;30 cases with normal lumbar vertebras was defined as control group, the FJO at L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1 were measured in two groups. The difference between two groups were compared at three levels, the difference between both sides of the facet joint orientation also was compared;the measured data and the data of 60 patients from foreign literature were compared at three levels. Results The FJO in isthmic group were (47.9±6.3)° ,(37.5±7.3)° , (37.9±7.7)° at the right of L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 levels respectively,the FJO in control group were (53.1 ± 7.3)° , (40.5±6.3)° , (38.5±7.3)° respectively, the FJO in isthmic group were (48.1±6.0)° , (37.9 ± 7.4)° , (37.6 ± 7.6)° at the left of L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1 levels respectively, the FJO in control group were (52.3 ± 7.6)° , (41.6 ± 6.0)° , (38.2 ± 7.2)° respectively. The significant difference was found at L3-4 and L4-5 levels (P < 0.05), the orientation was similar at L5-S1 level (P > 0.05). The difference between the both sides FJO of lumbar vertebras was not found at L3-4,L4-5 and L5-S1 levels (P >0.05). The same as the measured data and the corresponding data from foreign literature(P > 0.05 ). Conclusions It seems possible that the coronal FJO may be the phenotypic representation of the familial etiology of IS. It is helpful for the measurement of lumbar vertebras FJO to find IS early,it is important to reduce and release the IS.