Case Reports
. 2022 Sep 20;14(9):e29374.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.29374.
eCollection 2022 Sep.
Affiliations
Affiliations
- 1 Neurosurgery, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, RUS.
- 2 Neurological Surgery, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, RUS.
- 3 Neurological Surgery, City Clinical Hospital named after C.C. Yudina, Moscow, RUS.
- 4 Orthopaedics and Trauma, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, ZMB.
- 5 Neurological Surgery, People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, RUS.
Item in Clipboard
Case Reports
Gerald Musa et al.
Cureus.
.
Display options
Format
. 2022 Sep 20;14(9):e29374.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.29374.
eCollection 2022 Sep.
Affiliations
- 1 Neurosurgery, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, RUS.
- 2 Neurological Surgery, People’s Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, RUS.
- 3 Neurological Surgery, City Clinical Hospital named after C.C. Yudina, Moscow, RUS.
- 4 Orthopaedics and Trauma, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, ZMB.
- 5 Neurological Surgery, People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, RUS.
Item in Clipboard
Display options
Format
Abstract
Degenerative spine disorders are very common in the aging population. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a relatively uncommon cause of chronic back pain in these patients. We present a case of high-grade spondylolisthesis managed with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and reduction of the listhesis with excellent results. A 56-year-old woman presented with chronic lower back pain managed as an outpatient for over 5 months with no relief. She had no history of trauma or risk factors for malignancy. Lumbosacral CT showed Meyerding grade 3 anterolisthesis of the fifth lumbar vertebra with complete L5-S1 disc collapse and bilateral spondylolysis. An MRI confirmed the findings. There was no spinal canal stenosis. The patient was managed with L4-L5-S1 transpedicular fixation and L5-S1 interbody cage with reduction of the listhesis. The patient had an incidental intraoperative dural tear which was repaired primarily and a wound drain was kept for 5 days without complications. The patient was ambulating by day 5 and was discharged without complications on day 10. Degenerative spondylolisthesis can cause chronic back pain with or without a history of trauma. Although no specific clinical features exist for this condition, it should be suspected in elderly patients even in the absence of a history of trauma. Surgical management in high-grade spondylolisthesis is indicated with interbody fixation and reduction.
Keywords:
degenerative spine diseases; lumbar spine; meyerding classification; plif; spondylolisthesis.
Copyright © 2022, Musa et al.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Cite