Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.9(2) > 1036005

Shim, Kim, Ha, Kim, Song, Chae., Cho, and Ahn: Radiologic Result of Displacement according to Position and Measurement Methods in Spondylolisthesis

Abstract

Study Design

Prospective analysis was based on radiographic appearance in 80 cases of spondylolisthesis taken in positional change.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to investigate the flexion-extension lateral radiographs about the difference between decubitus and upright position and the measurement method of displacement in spondylolisthesis.

Summary of Literature Review

A lthough the flexion-extension lateral radiographs of spine were known the most preferable diagnostic method for spine instability, there are some debates about the difference of displacement according to the patient position and measurement methods.

Materials and methods

The radiographs of 80 patients with spondylolisthesis were taken in the decubitus and upright position. Extent of the displacement were measured by Taillard, DuPuis, modified Qunnell & Stockdale method and Ferguson angle, slip angle, lordosis angle and vertebral centroid measurement of lumbar lordosis(CLL) were measured, according to position.

Results

Significant difference between the positions was shown on the CLL and lordosis angle. Differences between positions analyzed from Taillard, DuPuis, modified Qunnell & Stockdale method, Ferguson angle and slip angle had no statistical significance. Differences between positions analyzed from the pathologic movement of translation(>4 mm) had a clinically significance in the upright position rather than the decubitus.

Conclusion

The lateral flexion-extension radiographs on upright position rather than decubitus position are considered as the more useful diagnostic method.

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Figures and Tables%

Fig. 1.
Parameters that represents the radiographic measurement of the lumbar spine. a. lumbosacral angle b. sacro-horizontal angle c. CLL d. angle of lumbar lordosis e. angle of sacral inclination f. Taillard(%)
jkss-9-127f1.tif
Table 1.
Level of Spondylolisthesis
Level Type L3/4 L4/5 L5/S1
Isthmic 1 30 14 45(56.3%)
Degenerative 1 25 9 35(43.7%)
2(2.5%) 55(68.7%) 23(28.8%) 80(100%)
Table 2.
Radiologic Result according to Patient's P osition
Mean± SD
Variable Recumbent Standing Two-tailed probability
Vertebral slipping
mm 4.71± 3.81 5.41± 2.81 NS
vertebral width 30± 25 31± 25 NS
Lumbosacral angle 40± 9.34 44.10± 10.24 P<0.05
Sacral angle 47± 7.23 50± 8.11 P<0.05
Table 3.
Radiologic Result according to Patient's Position
Mean± SD
Variable (Flexion-Extension) Recumbent Standing Two-tailed probability
Taillard (%) 6.68± 4.23 9.16± 6.49 N-S
Dupuis (°) 24.89± 4.90 25.52± 4.75 N-S
Quinnell & stockdale(mm) 6.053± 0.19 8.684± 0.31 N-S
Slip angle (°) 19.52± 8.34 20.58± 9.97 N-S
Ferguson (°) 21.78± 10.78 17.26± 12.80 N-S
CLL (°) 43.57± 12.51 46.78± 15.9 P<0.05
Lordosis angle (°) 42.434± 8.51 47.52± 9.24 P<0.05
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