Traumatic lateral spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with a unilateral locked facet: description of an unusual injury, probable mechanism, and management.
Primary traumatic facet dislocations are unusual in the lumbar spine. Most occurrences have been reported at the lumbosacral junction associated with anterior subluxation. The authors describe 2 cases in which a high impact trauma resulted in lateral subluxation with a unilateral locked facet involving the lumbar spine. In their review of the literature, the authors found no previously reported cases of this type of injury. Both cases described in this report involved significant spinal stenosis, neurological injury, and spinal instability. A posterior surgical approach, with at least partial resection of the locked facet joint in conjunction with pedicle screw fixation, allowed successful reduction and stabilization of the injury.
Reddy
Sangala Jaypal
SJ
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-5338, USA.
Al-Holou
Wajd N
WN
Leveque
Jean-Christophe
JC
La Marca
Frank
F
Park
Paul
P
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000293:injuries*