MyPACS.net: Radiology Teaching Files > Case 3158942

never visited UNILATERAL SPONDYLOSIS L5
Contributed by: Fritsch & Thompson.
Patient: 42 year old female
History: Low back pain in 42 yr. old female
Images:[small]larger

Fig. 1

Fig. 2: Asymmetrical apperance of L5 pedicles, to some degree due to positioning.

Fig. 3: intact pars interarticularis at L5

Fig. 4: spondylolysis clearly seen
Findings:

asymmetrical appearance of the L5 pedicles, most of which is attributable to rotation.

Discussion: Spondylolysis may be unilateral or bilateral. Unilateral spondylolysis is a common cause for an asymmetrical appearance of lumbar pedicles.  A unilateral radiodense appearance of the pedicle and articular pillar may develop due to stress hypertrophy on the side contralateral to the pars separation.
Comments:
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Additional Details:

Case Number: 3158942Last Updated: 11-07-2005
Anatomy: Spine and Peripheral Nervous System   Pathology: Trauma
Modality: Conventional RadiographExam Date: Access Level: Readable by all users
Keywords: spondylolysis

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