Sunday, December 21, 2008

Spondylolysis

1. What is spondylolysis?
2. What is the etiology of spondylolysis?
3. What is the presentation?
4. How is spondylolysis diagnosed?

Answers:
1. Vertebral defect most common at L5, occuring at pars interarticularis (junction of pedicle, transverse process, lamina, and 2 articular processes).
2. Hyperextension.
3. Localized back pain, worse with hyperextension, standing, lying prone, better with flexion. Normal neuro exam.
4. X-rays (collar on the scotty dog), bone scan with SPECT, CT, MRI.

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