Rare bilateral C6 spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in an adolescent athlete: evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computerized tomography.
METHODS
Case report.


OBJECTIVE
To show a rare case of cervical spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis secondary to bilateral stress fractures at the pedicle laminar junction of C6 in a 16-year-old athlete playing high school baseball.


BACKGROUND
The patient presented with 3 months of neck pain and intermittent right arm radicular symptoms.


METHODS
Plain radiographs and multidetector computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spines.


RESULTS
Plain radiographs revealed loss of lower cervical lordosis. Multidetector CT indicated bilateral C6 spondylolysis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral marrow edema at the pedicle laminar junction of C6. Treatment included placing his neck in a Philadelphia collar for 6 weeks. Follow-up CT revealed progression of healing.


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of these cases are important to promote healing.
Amin
Mohammed F
MF
Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Mohammed-amin@uiowa.edu
Mollano
Anthony V
AV
Weinstein
Stuart L
SL
El-Khoury
George Y
GY
D000293:Adolescent; D001484:Baseball; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013177:Sports; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014891:Weight Lifting