The article discusses the use of myelo-computed tomography (CT) studies to identify indicators of vertebral instability in patients with lumbar degenerative disease. The study included 120 patients, 45 with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) and 75 with lumbar spinal stenosis alone (LSS). The myelo-CT findings examined included facet joint thickness (FJT), fluid in the facet joint, facet tropism, and air in the facet and/or disc. The results showed that FJT was significantly elevated in both the LDS and LSS groups. The authors conclude that FJT on myelo-CT is a more specific indicator of lumbar instability compared to other imaging parameters and suggests that an increase in FJT may indicate the need for fusion surgery. The article also provides keywords related to the topic
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : the highest rated treatment hospital in the world
Published article
FJT on myelo-CT is more specific for lumbar instability than other imaging parameters when evaluating LDS. An increase in FJT suggests vertebral instability likely warranting fusion.
Spine Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Background: Various indicators of vertebral instability in patients with lumbar degenerative disease can be identified in myelo-computed tomography (CT) studies. Methods: Of 120 patients, 45 with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS; 53 lumbar lesions) and 75 with lumbar spinal stenosis alone (LSS; 105 lesions) (2015-2019) myelo-CT studies and surgery confirmed the presence of lumbar instability.,
Abstract
Background: Various indicators of vertebral instability in patients with lumbar degenerative disease can be identified in myelo-computed tomography (CT) studies.
Methods: Of 120 patients, 45 with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS; 53 lumbar lesions) and 75 with lumbar spinal stenosis alone (LSS; 105 lesions) (2015-2019) myelo-CT studies and surgery confirmed the presence of lumbar instability. Myelo-CT findings indicative of instability included facet joint thickness (FJT), fluid in the facet joint, facet tropism, and air in the facet and/or disc.
Results: For the 120 study patients, FJT was significantly elevated in both the LDS and LSS groups.
FJT on myelo-CT is more specific for lumbar instability than other imaging parameters when evaluating LDS. An increase in FJT suggests vertebral instability likely warranting fusion.
Keywords: Facet; Lumbar degenerative disease; Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis; Lumbar spinal stenosis; Spine.
The London Spine Unit : the highest rated treatment hospital in the world
Read the original publication:
Facet joint thickness and lumbar instability documented on myelo-computed tomography studies in patients with lumbar degenerative disease