• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.119-130
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to find cut the characteristics of intervertebral disc changes arid relative factors of the patients with spondylolisthesis. Methods: We investigated 95 cases of patients who visited one Korean traditional medicine hospital and were diagnosed as spondylolisthesis on lumbar spine X-ray and lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). We selected these cases retrospectively and randomly. We analysed the relativity between number of changed discs and type of change disc and age, level of spondylolisthesis and type of spondylolisthesis. Results: 1. The number of changed discs increased with older and degenerative spondylolisthesis type(p<0.05) and was not related to the level of spondylolisthesis. 2. Bulging disc is the dominant type of disc change(74.12%). The type of changed disc was shown to be similar in lytic and degenerative spondylolisthesis. It was not relative to the level of spondylolisthesis(p>0.05). 3. The direction of nerve compression was diffuse type in about halfly of the patients(47.06%) and the symptoms of patent and dermatome did not matched in 54 cases. Conclusions: The patients who visited a Korean medicine hospital and were diagnosed as spondyolithesis have different characteristics from the established studies. Their discs changed dominantly to diffuse bulging type and the symptoms of patient were not related with the direction and level of the changed discs were spondylolisthesis existed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.320-322
• /
• 2005

A 45-year-old man presented with lower back pain and pain in the right leg of 3years duration. A plain radiographic examination revealed grade I isthmic spondylolisthesis, with instability at L4-5. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral foraminal stenosis, with soft foraminal disc herniation on the right side at the L4-5 level. He underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion[ALIF] with percutaneous posterior fixation[PF] at the L4-5 level. Without removing the posterior bony structures, removal of foraminal disc herniation and reduction of spondylolisthesis were successfully performed using ALIF with percutaneous PF. When there is no hard disc herniation or lateral recess stenosis, ALIF with percutaneous PF can be one of the treatment options for isthmic spondylolisthesis, even in the presence of foraminal disc herniation, as in our case.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.24-33
• /
• 2003

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are two conditions that directly involve changes in the vertebra. Spondylolysis is defined as a defect in the pars interarticularis, the region of the lamina between the superior and inferior articular facets. Progression of the defect can result in spondylolisthesis, which is defined as a subluxation or 'slippage' of two adjacent vertebrae. In the low back it occurs most commonly at the lumbosacral level; next in frequency is spondylolisthesis of the fourth lumbar vertebra on the fifth. To provide the reader with information about the aetiology and anatomical consideration of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis type. Spondylolisthesis has recently been classified by Wiltse and others into five types based on the suspected aetiology; dysplastic, isthmic, degenerative, posttraumatic, pathologic and postsurgical. Of these five types, isthmic spondylolisthesi and degenerative spondylolisthesis, both of which are frequently associated with low back and lower limb pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.79-87
• /
• 2000

Objectives : To evaluate the findings useful for differential diagnosis and associated abnormaiities of isthmic spondylolisthesis and degenerative spondylolisthesis on CT. Materials and methods : We reviewed retrospectively the CT images of 65 patients who were diagnosed spondylolisthesis during 3 years period. Our technique was 5mm slices at 5mm intervals with gantry angle to parallel the interspaces. Also reformatted sagittal views were taken. 41 patients were isthmic spondylolisthesis and 24 patients were degenerative spondylolisthesis. Resuits : Isthmic spondylolisthesis. 1. Isthmic type was more common at L5-S1. 2. The degree of anterior displacement was grade I and II. 3. The plane of defect was more horizontal than the usual facet joint. 4. The defect had an irregular shape. 5. Medial aspect of bone just anterior to defect had a small round prominence. 6. Anteroposterior elongation of the spinal canal was common. 7. Pseudobulging disk was common. 8. The most common associated abnormality was a HNP at the upper level of the defect. Degenerative spondylolisthesis. 1. Degenerative type was more common at L4-5. 2. The degree of anterior disptacement was grade I and II. 3. The Plane of facet joint was oriented obliquely instead of horizontally. 4. The posterior facet(inferior facet of superior vertebra) was anteriorly displaced. 5. Bony spur of the posterior portion of anterior facet was seen. 6. The facet joints often contain gas(vaccum phenomenum). 7. The most common associated abnormality was a HNP at the level of the displacement. Conclusions : CT is a highly accurate and most sensitive technique for recognition, differential diagnosis of isthmic and degenerative types and the detection of associated abnormalities.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.168-173
• /
• 2014

Background: Recently, there have been several case reports and retrospective studies about the incidence of intradiscal (ID) injection during transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). Inadvertent ID injection is not a rare complication, and it carries the risk of developing diskitis, although there has been no report of diskitis after TFESI. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of inadvertent ID injection during lumbar TFESI and analyzed the contributing factors. Methods: Ten patients received 2-level TFESI, and the remaining 229 patients received 1-level TFESI. When successful TFESI was performed, 2 ml of contrast dye was injected under real-time fluoroscopy to check for any inadvertent ID spread. A musculoskeletal radiologist analyzed all magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of patients who demonstrated inadvertent ID injection. When reviewing MRIs, the intervertebral foramen level where ID injection occurred was carefully examined, and any anatomical structure which narrowing the foramen was identified. Results: Among the 249 TFESI, we identified 6 ID injections; thus, there was an incidence of 2.4%. Four patients had isthmic spondylolisthesis, and the level of spondylolisthesis coincided with the level of ID injection. We further examined the right or left foramen of the spondylolisthesis level and identified the upward migrated disc material that was narrowing the foramen. Conclusions: Inadvertent ID injection during TFESI is not infrequent, and pain physicians must pay close attention to the type and location of disc herniation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.484-486
• /
• 2015

Unilateral pedicle stress fracture accompanying spondylolytic spondylolisthesis is rare even in the elderly. Most are associated with major trauma, previous spine surgery, or stress-related activity. Here, the authors describe an unique case of unilateral pedicle fracture associated with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis at the L5 level, which was successfully treated by posterior lumbar interbody fusion with screw fixation at the L5-S1 level. As far as the authors' knowledge, no such case has been previously reported in the literature. The pathophysiological mechanism of this uncommon entity is discussed and a review of relevant literature is included.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.175-179
• /
• 2006

Objective : The surgical outcome of anterior lumbar interbody fusion[ALlF] with pedicle screw fixation for elderly isthmic spondylolisthesis was analyzed. Methods : Consecutive nineteen elderly patients [aged 65 years or more] with isthmic spondylolisthesis [Grade I or II] who underwent single level ALIF with pedicle screw fixation in 2002 were analyzed. Using clinical chart and mailed questionnaires, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale[VAS] of back and leg pain and postopertive Macnab criteria were evaluated. Results : The mean age at the time of operation was 68.4 years [range 65 to 78 years]. Twelve patients underwent ALIF with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. Seven patients underwent ALIF followed by posterior decompression and pedicle screw fixation. The postoperative complication rate was 10.5% [wound dehiscence in 1 patient and incisional hernia in 1 patient]. There was no postoperative major morbidity or mortality. At a mean follow-up duration of 30.7 months [range 25 to 35 months], 93.3% [14/15] of the patients showed excellent or good outcomes in terms of Macnab criteria. The mean VAS scores of back pain and leg pain significantly decreased after surgery. Conclusion : ALIF with pedicle screw fixation yielded favorable results for elderly isthmic spondylolisthesis in selected cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.40 no.5
• /
• pp.346-350
• /
• 2006

Objective : The ability to induce segmental lordosis has been reported to be marginal with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion[TLIF]. Therefore, we analyzed the short-term radiological outcomes of TLIF using $8^{\circ}$ wedged cages for isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods : Twenty-seven patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis who underwent single level TLIF with pedicle screw fixation[PSF] using $8^{\circ}$ wedged cages were retrospectively evaluated. Changes in disc height, degree of anterolisthesis, segmental lumbar lordosis, whole lumbar lordosis and L1 axis S1 distance were evaluated using standing lateral radiographs before surgery, at 6 weeks follow-up and at the final follow-up. Results : The mean age of the patients was 49.9 years [range, 38 to 64 years]. The affected levels were L4-5 in 17 cases and L5-S1 in 10. There were 18 cases of Grade I isthmic spondylolisthesis and 9 cases of Grade II. At a mean follow-up duration of 9.9 months [range, 6 to 18 months], the disc height [p< 0.001] was significantly increased, and the degree of anterolisthesis was significantly reduced [p< 0.001]. Regarding the sagittal balance, the segmental lumbar lordosis was significantly increased [p=0.01], but other parameters were not significantly changed after surgery. Conclusion : TLIF with PSF using $8^{\circ}$ wedged cages significantly increased the segmental lumbar lordosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 2014

Objective : Posterior accessed lumbar interbody fusion (PALIF) has a clear objective to restore disc height and spinal alignment but surgeons may occasionally face the converse situation and lose lumbar lordosis. We analyzed retrospective data for factors contributing to a postoperative flat back. Methods : A total of 105 patients who underwent PALIF for spondylolisthesis and stenosis were enrolled. The patients were divided according to surgical type [posterior lumbar inter body fusion (PLIF) vs. unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)], number of levels (single vs. multiple), and diagnosis (spondylolisthesis vs. stenosis). We measured perioperative index level lordosis, lumbar lordosis, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, pelvic incidence, and disc height in standing lateral radiographs. The change and variance in each parameter and comparative group were analyzed with the paired and Student t-test (p<0.05), correlation coefficient, and regression analysis. Results : A significant perioperative reduction was observed in index-level lordosis following TLIF at the single level and in patients with spondylolisthesis (p=0.002, p=0.005). Pelvic tilt and sacral slope were significantly restored following PLIF multilevel surgery (p=0.009, p=0.003). Sacral slope variance was highly sensitive to perioperative variance of index level lordosis in high sacral sloped pelvis. Perioperative variance of index level lordosis was positively correlated with disc height variance ($R^2=0.286$, p=0.0005). Conclusion : Unilateral TLIF has the potential to cause postoperative flat back. PLIF is more reliable than unilateral TLIF to restore spinopelvic parameters following multilevel surgery and spondylolisthesis. A high sacral sloped pelvis is more vulnerable to PALIF in terms of a postoperative flat back.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.221-232
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The study was performed to evaluate the effect of treatment for spondylolisthesis by using electroacupuncture at Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue is located about 0.5Cun(寸) at both sides of spinous process of each vertebra. Methods : This clinical study was carried out 5 case with spondylolisthesis, who had bean treated from December, 2006 to November, 2007, in the department of acupuncture and moxibustion, Dongshin University Oriental Medical Hospital. We treated the patient who was diagnosed as spondylolisthesis by simple X-ray or MRI. Results : 1. Degenerative type is 3 cases, and isthmic type is 2 cases. 2. In the distribution of injured level was between 4-5th lumbar vertebra the most(3 cases). 3. The improvement index showed 0.29, 0.56, 0.43 points in degerative type, and 0.39, 0.36 points in isthmic type. 4. Therapeutic efforts above "good" by Kim's criteria was 4 cases. 5. Good improvement was showed in VAS about average 3.4. Conclusions : There was reports about Hua-Tuo-Jia-Ji-Xue electronic acupuncture treatment of patients with spondylolisthesis. It is very effective to improve condition of patients with spondylolisthesis.