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In a study published in Surg Neurol Int, researchers investigated indicators of vertebral instability in patients with lumbar degenerative disease using myelo-computed tomography (CT) studies. The study included 120 patients, of which 45 had lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) and 75 had lumbar spinal stenosis alone (LSS). The 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. The results showed that FJT was significantly elevated in both the LDS and LSS groups. The study concluded that FJT on myelo-CT is a more specific indicator of lumbar instability compared to other imaging parameters, suggesting that an increase in FJT may indicate the need for fusion surgery in patients with lumbar degenerative disease
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
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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.
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Surg Neurol Int. 2023 Sep 22;14:342. doi: 10.25259/SNI_652_2023. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: 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,
Surg Neurol Int. 2023 Sep 22;14:342. doi: 10.25259/SNI_652_2023. eCollection 2023.
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.
PMID:37810286 | PMC:PMC10559377 | DOI:10.25259/SNI_652_2023
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Read the original publication:
Facet joint thickness and lumbar instability documented on myelo-computed tomography studies in patients with lumbar degenerative disease