Myelography in severe lumbosacral spondylolisthesis

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Radiology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Severe lumbosacral spondylolisthesis can lead to significant neurological compromise.
• Understanding the relationship between imaging findings and clinical symptoms is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate radiological and myelographic findings with cauda equina compression and clinical symptoms in severe lumbosacral spondylolisthesis.
• To identify distinct patient groups based on L5 neural canal position and their implications.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of radiological and myelographic images from 14 patients.
• Correlation of imaging findings with clinical symptomatology.
• Classification of patients into two groups based on L5 neural canal position.

Main Results:

• Group 1: Downward displaced arch; cauda equina compression from L5/S1 disc, related to listhesis degree; predominant L5 root sheath abnormalities.
• Group 2: Normal neural arch position; compression between arch and sacrum, unrelated to slip degree; S1 root lesions; more prominent clinical symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Lumbosacral spondylolisthesis presents with distinct radiological and clinical patterns based on L5 neural canal position.
• Group 2 patients, with compression from the arch, exhibit more severe clinical manifestations.