Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Previous studies mainly focus on spondylolisthesis and lumbar scoliosis curvature changes and correlation with pain. However, there has not been any detailed report concerning anatomic changes in lateral spondylolisthesis.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the anatomic changes in lateral spondylolisthesis associated with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS).
METHODS: A total of 21 consecutive patients with lateral spondylolisthesis associated with DLS, including 9 males and 12 females, aged 65 years (range 54-72 years), were selected. They were examined by CT. Coronal reconstruction CT was used to measure the vertebral translation. Vertebral rotation was measured by the Aaro method using transaxial CT.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lateral spondylolisthesis was most commonly observed at the lower-end vertebra. The cephalad-slipped vertebra rotated toward the convex side of the main curve, whereas the caudal vertebra rotated toward the concave side of the main curve. The Cobb angle averaged 25°. Mean lateral translation and vertebral rotation were 6.5 mm and 6.7°, respectively. There was a significant correlation between lateral translation and vertebral rotation (r_s=0.63; P < 0.01).