J Korean Soc Radiol.  2020 May;81(3):644-653. 10.3348/jksr.2020.81.3.644.

Multidetector CT Findings of Acquired Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis after Posterior Lumbar Laminectomy

• Yun H
• Hwang JY
• Yoo JH

• KMID: 2502360
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2020.81.3.644

Abstract

Purpose
We aimed to analyze postoperative multidetector CT (MDCT) of acquired spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis after posterior lumbar laminectomy.
Materials and Methods
We enrolled 74 patients, from 2003 to 2017, who underwent posterior lumbar laminectomy with both pre and postoperative MDCT. The patients were categorized into the following two groups: group 1 without fusion and group 2 with fusion. We analyzed laminectomy width, level and location of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis, facet changes, and fatty infiltration of paraspinal muscles on postoperative MDCT.
Results
Incidence of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis was 4 of 20 patients in group 1 and 2 of 54 patients in group 2. The laminectomy width (%) was defined as the percentage of the width of laminectomy to total lamina length. Mean laminectomy width (%) in patients with spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis was 54.0 in group 1 and 53.2 in group 2, in contrast to that in patients without spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis, which was 35.0 in group 1. The spondylolysis was observed at the level of the laminectomy and below pars interarticularis in group 1 and below the fusion mass at isthmic region in group 2.
Conclusion
MDCT facilitates the diagnosis of postsurgical acquired spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis and demonstrates typical location of spondylolysis. Greater laminectomy width has been associated with occurrence of acquired spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.

Keyword

Spondylolysis; Spondylolisthesis; Multidetector Computed Tomography; Lumbar Vertebrae; Postoperative Complications