Computed Tomography Evaluation of Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis in Asymptomatic Patients

Abstract

This study demonstrates a 5.7% prevalence of spondylolysis and a 3.1% prevalence of spondylolisthesis in patients undergoing CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis for unrelated reasons, corresponding to the rate of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis detected in prospective plain radiographic studies. We observed a 1.2% incidence of unilateral spondylolysis, and approximately 67% of these demonstrated contralateral sclerosis. It is suggested in the literature that sclerosis of the contralateral pedicle seen in cases of unilateral spondylolysis may be a compensatory response to mechanical stresses on an unstable lumbar vertebral body.