Turkish Neurosurgery
Prevalence of Paediatric Spondylolysis
ALPER OLGUN1, ASLI AYDIN TAŞKOPARAN1, İLKER GÜLEÇ1, BURAK EREN1, NURİ SERDAR BAŞ2, FEYZA KARAGÖZ GÜZEY1
1BAĞCILAR HEALTH APPLİCATİON AND RESARCH CENTER, DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSURGERY , NEUROSURGERY, İSTANBUL,
2KANUNİ SULTAN SULEYMAN HEALTH APPLİCATİON AND RESEARCH CENTER, DEPARTMANT OF NEUROSURGERY, NEUROSURGERY, İSTANBUL,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.47300-24.3

Aim:To determine the frequency of spondylolysis (SLi) in children examined due to trauma,which has not been reported before in Turkey, and to discuss the demographic features of these casestogether with accompanying secondary pathologies.Material and Methods:Between January 2013 and June 2023, lumbar computed tomography (CT) scansperformed due to traumafor children aged 0-18 years were evaluated. Demographic data of the patients, the unilateral or bilateral occurrence of SLi,and additional findings detected on CT were recorded. Differences between Turkish citizens and Syrian immigrants were also assessed.Results:From lumbar CT scans performed for children aged 0-18 years, the prevalence of SLi was found to be 5.8%. The prevalence was significantly higher in boys and it increased with age, with significantly higher rates in the age group of 11-18 years compared to younger children. Although the difference between Turkish and Syrian childrenwas not statistically significant, Syrian children showed a numerically higher incidence of SLi. Among SLi cases, the rate of spondylolisthesis was 33.3%, and it was significantly more prevalentin cases ofbilateral SLithan cases ofunilateral SLi. Spina bifida was significantly more commonamong patients with SLi than those without.Conclusion:The prevalence of SLi in children is affected by some demographic characteristics. However, the rate did not differ between Turkish and Syrian children. Spondylolisthesis and spina bifida were significantly more commonin patients with SLi than in the normal paediatric population.

Corresponding author : ALPER OLGUN