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Is Spondylolisthesis At The L5–S1 Level Of The Lumbar Spine A Genetic Disorder?

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Posted on Thu, 4 Aug 2016
Question: 46 year old female admitted for L4-L5 listhesis with canal stenosis and operated for same ( Laminectomy) Need to know whether this illness is due to injury or not
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Answered by Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Congenital problem present for a long time and is NOT due to Injury

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.J XXXXXXX Anto Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am here to help you. I have read your question with care and understand that you want to know whether L4-L5 listhesis with canal stenosis is due to injury or not

The above pathology is NOT due to Injury because of the following points

1. She has Sacralisation of L5. That means the Fifth Lumbar vertebra actually has joined with Sacrum and Resembles Sacrum. THIS IS A CONGENITAL CONDITION. THIS CANNOT OCCUR DUE TO INJURY

So when you do MRI LS Spine, L5 Appears as S1 and L4 appears as L5. That is why in this Scan, this has been reported as Spondyloliesthesis of L5S1

In this Scan we just examine the Lumbo Sacral Spine and hence we cannot find out Lumbarisation or Sacralisation

But
When you do MRI Lumbo Sacral Spine with Whole Spine Screening, it means that you are essentially having a quick look at the entire spinal column. We count from the Top and Find that the Actual Problem is Between L4 and L5

2. There is Osteophyte Formation in All Lumbar Vertebrae which shows that this is a long standing pathology

3. There is No Obvious Lysis Seen in Pars Interarticularis of L4 Vertebra (Reported as L5 in the Scan since whole spine screening was not done)

4. No Focal Lesions are seen. In case of Injury, Fracture will be seen

5. All Lumbar Discs Show Degeneration

So
Based on Points 1 to 5 we can categorically say that this is a congenital problem which has been present for a long time and is not due to injury

Hope you found the answer helpful.

If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Take care.

-oOo-

PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback.

PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj
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Answered by
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Dr. Bruno Mascarenhas

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 813 Questions

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Is Spondylolisthesis At The L5–S1 Level Of The Lumbar Spine A Genetic Disorder?

Brief Answer: Congenital problem present for a long time and is NOT due to Injury Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HealthCareMagic.com I am Dr.J XXXXXXX Anto Bruno Mascarenhas, and I am here to help you. I have read your question with care and understand that you want to know whether L4-L5 listhesis with canal stenosis is due to injury or not The above pathology is NOT due to Injury because of the following points 1. She has Sacralisation of L5. That means the Fifth Lumbar vertebra actually has joined with Sacrum and Resembles Sacrum. THIS IS A CONGENITAL CONDITION. THIS CANNOT OCCUR DUE TO INJURY So when you do MRI LS Spine, L5 Appears as S1 and L4 appears as L5. That is why in this Scan, this has been reported as Spondyloliesthesis of L5S1 In this Scan we just examine the Lumbo Sacral Spine and hence we cannot find out Lumbarisation or Sacralisation But When you do MRI Lumbo Sacral Spine with Whole Spine Screening, it means that you are essentially having a quick look at the entire spinal column. We count from the Top and Find that the Actual Problem is Between L4 and L5 2. There is Osteophyte Formation in All Lumbar Vertebrae which shows that this is a long standing pathology 3. There is No Obvious Lysis Seen in Pars Interarticularis of L4 Vertebra (Reported as L5 in the Scan since whole spine screening was not done) 4. No Focal Lesions are seen. In case of Injury, Fracture will be seen 5. All Lumbar Discs Show Degeneration So Based on Points 1 to 5 we can categorically say that this is a congenital problem which has been present for a long time and is not due to injury Hope you found the answer helpful. If you need any clarification / have doubts / have additional questions / have follow up questions, then please do not hesitate in asking again. I will be happy to answer your questions. Best Wishes for Speedy Recovery Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care. -oOo- PS 1 : After all your doubts have been cleared, kindly (a) Close this Question (b) Rate my Replies and (c) Give your Feedback. PS 2 : In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly in HealthCareMagic at http://bit.ly/askdrbruno