Lumbar spondylolysis: reactive marrow changes seen in adjacent pedicles on MR images.

Abstract

Categories of changes in MR signal intensity, similar to those described adjacent to degenerating disks, can be seen in lumbar pedicles adjacent to a spondylolytic defect of the pars interarticularis and are distributed as a function of age. Awareness of this finding may aid in establishing the correct diagnosis of spondylolysis on MR imaging and prevent erroneous interpretation of abnormal signal intensity in the pedicles in these patients.