Turkish Neurosurgery 2024 , Vol 34 , Num 6
Correlations Between Facet Tropism, Joint Mobility and Degree of Displacement in Patients with Low Grade Spondylolisthesis
Vinícius Marques CARNEIRO1,Rodrigo Inácio PONGELUPPI1,Denylson Sanches FERNANDES1,Davi Casale ARAGON2,José Luiz ROMEO BOULLOSA1
1University of São Paulo, University Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Division of Neurosurgery, Brazil
2University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Brazil
DOI : 0.5137/1019-5149.JTN.40720-22.3 AIM: To compare lumbar X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, and to identify the factors associated with joint instability in cases with lumbar spondylolisthesis.

MATERIAL and METHODS: We performed a retrospective and observational study of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of lumbar or lumbosacral low-grade spondylolisthesis at a single level. Preoperative X-ray and MRI examinations were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher?s exact test and Kappa statistics.

RESULTS: The present study comprised 59 patients. Of these, 62% had Modic changes on MRI. Degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis was found in 49.2% and 50.8% of patients, respectively. All patients had degenerative disc changes at the level of the listesis. Moderate and severe facet asymmetry was observed 18 (30.5%) and three (5.1%) patients, respectively. Neutral facets were observed in 64.4% of patients. Dynamic X-ray detected segmental mobility in 52.5% of the cases. There was a negative correlation between the presence of tropism and joint mobility (p=0.03). Further, the degree of listesis was negatively correlated with the presence of FT (p=0.02). Substantial agreement (91.52%) was observed between MRI and X-ray examinations (Kappa, 0.81; CI, 0.66?0.97).

CONCLUSION: MRI was sufficient for the diagnosis of lumbar spondylolisthesis and dynamic lumbar imaging was important in defining segmental mobility. In addition, facet tropism appeared to have a protective effect on instability. Keywords : Low back pain, Spine diseases, Spondylolisthesis

Corresponding author : Rodrigo Inácio PONGELUPPI, rodrigopongeluppi@gmail.com