Investigation of Abnormal Findings in Lumbosacral MRI of Patients with Spondylolisthesis

Introduction: Spondylolisthesis is a common disorder in lumabar vertebras and consist of more than 30% of lumbar fusions are diagnosed. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is seen more in women at level L4-L5 however isthmic spondylolisthesis is seen in men at level L5-S1. MRI is used commonly as first paraclinic test for evaluation of patients with back pain with or without radiculoapthy. It is used in supine position commonly that this cause glide at the reduced rate and along with a placement. This has to be misdiagnosed of Spondylolisthesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the MRIs of patients with Spondylolisthesis to explain the findings on MRI in these patients. Methods and Materials: In this retrospective study all patients with spondylolisthesis that diagnosed by functional x-ray without report of radiologist note from January 2013 - January 2015 enrolled to the study. Results: All the 85 patients have spondylolisthesis Grade 1 on MRI. Height of Disc, type of herniation, modic changes, existence of fluid or air in facet joint and existance of tropism in facet joint was investigated. Investigation of facet joint hypertrophy and facet tropism demonstrate no significant relation. Investigation of height of disc and disc intensity demonstrate no significant relation too. Conclusion: Based on findings of this study we can realized that more patients with spondylolisthesis grade 1 on MRI misdiagnosed and this study help neurosurgeons to be suspected to spondylolisthesis with investigation of factors simultaneous such as disc protrusion, facet joint topism and flavum ligament hypertrophy.