[Characteristics of clinical findings and radiological assessment of high grade developmental spondylolisthesis].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate clinical appearance and radiological characteristics of high grade developmental spondylolisthesis and their significance.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, a group of 6 female patients, who were diagnosed as high grade developmental spondylolisthesis and treated in Peking University third hospital from March 2007 to December 2008 were included. Clinical and radiological characteristics of the 6 patients were investigated and the following parameters were measured on standing lateral X-ray: PI (pelvic incidence), SK (sacral kyphosis) and LL (Lumbar lordosis). A series of 44 patients who came to out-patient department due to LBP and had no positive findings on lateral lumbar X-ray were selected as the control group. The four parameters were compared between study group and control group. Clinical meanings of significant difference were discussed.


RESULTS
Clinical findings of high grade developmental spondylolisthesis included bending of knees, deformity of trunk and sciatica. Radiological appearances were characterized with kyphosis of lumbo-sacral joint, retroverted pelvis and domed sacrum. Spondylolisthesis patients has an average PI of (52 +/- 7) degrees which was significant higher than the control group [(43 +/- 8) degrees ] (P < 0.01). LL of study group [(51 +/- 10) degrees ] was higher than that of the control group [(18 +/- 9) degrees ] (P < 0.01) and SK of the study group [(12 +/- 11) degrees ] were lower than that of the control group [(21 +/- 10) degrees ] (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Characteristics of clinical findings of spondylolisthesis patients have obvious cosmetic appearance, significant pain and lower neurological deficits. Radiological characteristics display deformity of lumbo-sacral joint. PI, LL and SK are significant parameters for high grade spondylolisthesis.
Sun
Yi-fu
YF
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
Chen
Zhong-qiang
ZQ
D001848:Bone Diseases, Developmental / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology