Acquired spondylolisthesis following scoliosis surgery. A case report.
The association between scoliosis and spondylolisthesis is well documented; however, spondylolisthesis following a posterior spinal fusion with Harrington rod instrumentation for idiopathic scoliosis has not been previously reported. Internal fixation of the spine with metal rods and fusion for scoliosis produces a stress concentration at the immediately adjacent levels. This, combined with other factors that may cause failure of the neural arch, can lead to a traumatic spondylolisthesis. In an 11-year-old boy, localized pain and impending listhesis indicated that the instrumentation should be removed and an arthrodesis completed.
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000209:etiology*