Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis.

Spondylolisthesis is a common condition that can be managed both nonsurgically and surgically. More than 80% of children treated nonsurgically have resolution of symptoms. For those patients requiring surgical treatment, fusion in situ may provide adequate treatment for young patients.

Thoracic paraparesis following an embolic vascular event during lumbar spinal surgery.

Objective: A case report illustrating the rare occurrence of thoracic paraparesis following the presumed occurrence of an embolic vascular event during lumbar spinal surgery is presented. The goal is to investigate the potential causes of acute postoperative paraparesis following lumbar spine surgery. A discussion of the symptoms, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of spinal cord ischemia and postembolic infarction is presented.

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis: evaluation and management.

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a lateral deviation of the spine that typically develops after age 50 years. Clinical presentation varies, but the deformity frequently is associated with loss of lordosis, axial rotation, lateral listhesis, and spondylolisthesis. Although the etiology is unclear, degenerative scoliosis is associated with degenerative disk disease, facet incompetence, and hypertrophy of the ligamenta flava, typically leading to neurogenic claudication and back pain.

Full-thickness thoracic laminar erosion after posterior spinal fusion associated with late-presenting infection.

Study Design: A case report describes unilateral complete laminar erosion of the caudal thoracic spine and late-presenting infection in a patient 10 years after anteroposterior reconstruction for scoliosis.

Objective: To present an unusual but significant complication that may occur after implantation of spinal instrumentation.

Summary Of Background Data: The reported patient presented with a deep infection and persistent back pain 10 years after successful anteroposterior reconstruction for adult idiopathic scoliosis.

Acute progression of spondylolysis to isthmic spondylolisthesis in an adult.

Study Design: Acute progression of spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis in an adult without degenerative disc disease at the slip level is reported.

Objective: To document a case of adult-onset progression of isthmic spondylolisthesis, in which the disc space height at the slip level was normal. There were no known risk factors for progression, and the olisthesis occurred acutely after minimal trauma.