Thoracic Spondylolysis

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Definition

. Spondylosis = various forms of spinal degeneration that accompany the natural aging process
Spondylolysis is a unilateral or bilateral bony defect in the pars interarticularis or isthmus of the vertebra. The term derives from the Greek words spondylos (vertebra) and lysis (defect). [1][2] It can cause a slipping of the vertebra, in which case the term spondylolytic spondylolysthesis is used.
“Spondylolysis” is also known as a blanket term used by physicians to describe general deterioration of the spine. This defect can be asymptomatic or associated with significant back pain (7). (Level of evidence 2A)
The literature confirmed several times that the thoracic spondylolysis, is not as common as cervical or lumbar spondylolysis. The vast majority of spondylolitic defects are seen at level L5 (85-95%),(15 LOE: 4) with level L4 being the second most likely to be affected. The higher levels of the lumbar spine are rarely affected. (15 LOE: 4)

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

The most important structures which are involved in a thoracic spondylolysis are: the thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12), the intervertebral disc of the thoracic vertebrae (These act like shock absorbers for the spine as it moves.), 12 pairs of spinal nerve roots, posterior rami (innervate the regional muscles of the back) and ventral rami (innervate the skin and muscles of the chest and abdominal area). (10) (level of evidence 3B)
The functions of the spine are:

• Stability; The costovertebral joints and rib cage are very important when it comes to stabilizing the thoracic spine. (11) (level of evidence 2B)
• housing of neurological structures and control.

The spine is supported by ligaments and muscles (1). When there’s a gap between the vertebral arches, a vertebra slipping or sliding can arise. In this condition are the nerves and spinal cord in danger (3).

Epidemiology/Etiology

The etiology of spondylolysis is considered to be a stress fracture at the pars interarticularis (12). (Level of evidence; 3B)
The reason that they call it a stress facture and not a congenital disorder is that they have never found a spondylolysis in neonates (newborns). Also spondylolysis don’t occurs in non-ambulatory patients. The last reason that this is a stress fracture is that the time line from spondylolysis to pseudoarthritis looks like the timeline from the long bone. (20; LOE: 1A)
This fracture can be the result of genetic predispositions (16 LOE: 4) including weak crossectional areas of the cortical bone area of the pars intervertebralis and relative cortical bone density (4,6) (4 LOE: 4) (6 LOE:1A). There is a possible genetic tendency for people with lower cortical bone density at the pars interarticularis.
Spondylolysis this is not spondylosis affects 3-6% of the population(17)(18)( 17: loe: 4) ( 18: loe: 1A), but the incidence of spondylolysis within the young athletic population is seen to be increased (47%) . (24 LOE: 2B) It is the most common cause in low back pain in pediatric patients. (22) ( loe: 2A) This condition appears in the first or second decade of life; the frequency of spondylolysis increases with age until 20 years. There is, however, no change in prevalence with increasing age from 20 to 80 years old. (19)(20)
Other risks are:
• structure of the pars interarticularis and the spine
• sport and activities that require repetitive flexion-extension movements, such as football, dance, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming (2,3,6,12).
• Excessive hyperextension forces is often associated with hypermobility.
• Muscle weakness
• long periods of static posture in extension and rotation (13) ( LOE: 2A)
• Men are affected twice as often as women (16)(17) ( 17 LOE: 4)
• Spondylolysis occurs more frequently in the young athletic population. There is an increased risk in gymnasts, football players, cricketers, swimmers, divers, weight lifters and wrestlers. (16) (18) ( 16 LOE: 4) ( (18 LOE: 1A)

These factors affect the efficiency in which the neural arch absorbs forces (5 LOE: 1B).
The terms spondylolysis and spondylolithesis are often switched with one another. Spondylolythesis is actually a health problem that follows on a spondylolysis.

Another condition, called spondylolisthesis, can occur when there is a complete bilateral fracture of the pars interarticularis. This fracture results in the translation (in the anterior/posterior or anterior-caudal) direction of one vertebral body over the adjacent caudal vertebra, which could lead to neurologic problems (because of compression of the nerves and spinal cord between the bony structures). (6,9, 20,21) (level of evidence 1A)

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

• The onset of pain can start immediately after an acute injury or be gradual. Mild symptoms can last for a while and a particular event can cause acute worsening (2). (LOE 2A)
• Focal back pain (2, 8). ( LOE 2A)
• Symptoms increase during activities involving spinal extension and rotation which restrict the ADL activities(2). ( LOE 2A)
• acute or gradual pain after an intense activity (8). (LOE 2A)
• When the fracture is not recent: pain can be felt deep within the lower back and radiate to the buttock and thigh on the affected side (8). (LOE 2A)
• Pain throughout the full range of lumbar motion (9) (LOE 2A)
• rest usually relies the symptoms (12) (LOE 3B)
• symptoms become aggraved after a stressful activity (8) (LOE 2A)
• there can be an recent or old local trauma (8) ( LOE 2A)
Spondylolysis can be classified into three stages;
• early
• progressive
• terminal
The early stage, which follows the stress fracture, is shows as a hairline on CT scans.
If the spondylolysis can be found in the early stage. It can heal in osseously in about 90% of the cases within 3 months. This rate decreases in the progressive stage.
At the begin of the progressive stage, the gap at the defect site is clearly visible. The terminal stage is similar to pseudoarthrosis, showing sclerosis at the fracture site. Even using CT scan, the early stage is sometimes very difficult to diagnose.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is less invasive than computed tomography or plain radiography, and more recently, we have shown that a high signal at the pedicle in an axial slice of T2-weighted MR images can be used effectively for detecting the early stage of the disorder. (14,21) ( 14: level of evidence: 2B) ( 21 : level of evidence : 1A)

Differential Diagnosis

• Disc Injuries: Disc Herniation
• Lumbosacral Discogenic Pain Syndrome
• Facet Joint Syndrome
• Acute Bony Injuries
• Sprain/Strain Injuries
• Spondylolisthesis Hier werd al verwezen naar de spondylolisthesis pagina
• Myofascial Pain in Athletes

Diagnostic procedure

Until now, no optimal tool for diagnosing spondylolysis has been identified. The most reliable method to use is a combination of various methods. However early diagnosis has been found to increase the likelihood of healing25, 26. (level of evidence 4)
There are a variety of imaging tools that can be used to establish a spondylolysis. CT scans (computed tomography) , SPECT scans and MRI have all been found to be sensitive diagnostic tools for diagnosing spondylolysis8, 27. (level of evidence 2A)
Amongst the literature however there is a big controversy as to which imaging method is preferential for diagnosing spondylolysis. Many papers suggest bone scintigraphy using SPECT to be the gold standard, followed by a CT scan26, 28. (level of evidence 4)

CT scans are able to distinguish between an acute or chronic spondylolysis and the type of fracture, which provides us with important information with regards to making a treatment plan. MRI is commonly used and often favoured because this imaging does not use ionising radiation. However, there is little evidence that supports its sensitivity in diagnosing spondylolysis. Masci et al.27 found MRI to have no statistical difference with the CT findings. (level of evidence 3B

Outcome measures

- level of impairments:(damage)
- VAS
- Fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire ( FABQ)

- level of disabilities
- Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)
- Patiënt Specifieke Klachten (PSK) KNGF

- level of participation (work)
- Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OLBPDQ)

- Oswestry disability index
- Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS)
- Quebec_Back_Pain_Disability_Scale

- level of personal aspects
- …The Hospital Anxiety and Depression

Examination

To demonstrate spondylolysis, plain radiographs of the thoracic back are used. (2). (LOE 2A)To visualize the suspected bony defect CT (computed tomography) scan can be helpful (image).This is one of the most valuable and sensitive method of identifying spondylolysis. SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and CAT scan (Computed Axial Tomography) are more sensitive to identify partial lesions (3,7). ( 3,7 LOE 2A)To define the status of the disc at and just above the level of slippage, MRI is the exam of choice can be used (7). ( level of evidence: 2A)

Neurological examination is usually normal in most of the cases, except when the vertebrae slips. , This slippage of the vertebra can cause neurogenic symptoms can to arise (1).
• Pain when standing on the ipsilateral leg during the one legged hyperextension maneuver: the patient has to stand on one leg and lean backwards (2). ( LOE: 2A)
• Single leg raise test (link): the patient lifts one leg and places the trunk into hyperextension. This test is positive when there’s pain (unilateral or bilateral) determined in the sacroiliac area or lumbar spine, indicating shear forces on the pars interarticularis. (6). ( level of evidence 1A)
• Oswestry disability Index (hyperlink 2)
• Muscle strength testing
Thoracic_Examination

Medical examination

There are two main types of surgery:

1. Laminectomy (link): nerve compression can be caused by an excess of cartilage where the broken bones try to heal. The loose lamina is removed to take the pressure off the nerve (6). (6: level of evidence : 1A)

2. Posterior spinal fusion (link): this is a technique which is recommended when a spinal segment is instable or loose. A spinal fusion results into one solid bone, because it allows that two or more bones grow together by means of small grafts in the problem area at het back of the spine. In some occasions the surgeon applies screws and metal plates to put two vertebrae together to avoid movement (6,9).(6: level of evidence A1) ( 9: level of evidence : 2A )
After the surgery the patients are recommended to use a supporting belt or a brace and they have to be careful with resuming activities in the first weeks (9).