title: Congenital absence of the lumbar facet joint associated with bilateral spondylolysis of the fifth lumbar vertebra.
abstract: A 14-year-old boy presented with a rare case of congenital absence of lumbar facet joint manifesting as low back pain. Physical examination showed no neurological or hematologic abnormalities. Radiography revealed absence of a facet joint on the right side of L4-5. Computed tomography and three-dimensional computed tomography revealed absence of the facet joint on the right side of L4-5 and spondylolysis on both sides of L5. Pain subsided after conservative treatment. This is an extremely rare case of congenital absence of lumbar facet joint associated with bilateral spondylolysis.
authors: Department of Spinal Surgery and Medical Engineering, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
authors: Zhuo
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Toshihiko
authors: T
authors: Sakakibara
authors: Yuichi
authors: Y
authors: Kasai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008297:Male; D013169:Spondylolysis / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000002:abnormalities*