title: Spina bifida occulta in isthmic spondylolisthesis: a surgical trap.
abstract: An 11-year-old girl presented with symptomatic grade IIB isthmic type spondylolisthesis, with an elongated pars, confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Posterolateral in situ fusion of L5/S1 was performed. At surgery, a significant bony defect in the posterior aspect of S1 was noted. Awareness of this possible co-existence is paramount if iatrogenic damage to neural elements is to be avoided during surgery.
authors.affiliation: 41 Riverwood Gardens, Castleknock, Dublin 15, Republic of Ireland. rakesh1382@hotmail.com
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Niall
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khalilullah
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCormack
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011859:Radiography; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000150:complications*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*