Figures & data
Figure 2. Preoperative plain X-rays. A: Posteroanterior view of the full spine in upright position revealed wedging of the L4/5 disc and the compensatory scoliosis in the cephalad portion of the spine. B: Posteroanterior view of the lumbar spine revealed bilateral spondylolysis of the inferior articular processes of the fourth lumbar vertebra. C: A lateral view of the spine revealed anterolisthesis of the L4 vertebra and a significant pathological opening of the posterior disc space at L4/5 in flexion position.
![Figure 2. Preoperative plain X-rays. A: Posteroanterior view of the full spine in upright position revealed wedging of the L4/5 disc and the compensatory scoliosis in the cephalad portion of the spine. B: Posteroanterior view of the lumbar spine revealed bilateral spondylolysis of the inferior articular processes of the fourth lumbar vertebra. C: A lateral view of the spine revealed anterolisthesis of the L4 vertebra and a significant pathological opening of the posterior disc space at L4/5 in flexion position.](/cms/asset/1c3de80b-b00c-4d9e-b71b-a0240c68a59b/iups_a_629750_f0002_b.jpg)
Figure 3. MR images of the lumbar spine revealed spinal canal stenosis at L4/5 (T2-weighted image, sagittal section).
![Figure 3. MR images of the lumbar spine revealed spinal canal stenosis at L4/5 (T2-weighted image, sagittal section).](/cms/asset/95a32b82-c048-4af8-9122-d89a1c70b7a4/iups_a_629750_f0003_b.jpg)
Figure 4. Contrast-enhanced spinal CT scan. A: Frontal plane reconstruction clearly demonstrated spondylolysis of the bilateral inferior articular processes of the L4 vertebra (arrows). B: Horizontal sections at L4/5 disc revealed sagittalization of the L4/5 facet, and deviation of the inferior articular processes of L4 to the right and anterior direction which compressed the dural sac. C: Horizontal sections at the superior margin of the L5 vertebra revealed bone fragments separated from the inferior articular processes of L4.
![Figure 4. Contrast-enhanced spinal CT scan. A: Frontal plane reconstruction clearly demonstrated spondylolysis of the bilateral inferior articular processes of the L4 vertebra (arrows). B: Horizontal sections at L4/5 disc revealed sagittalization of the L4/5 facet, and deviation of the inferior articular processes of L4 to the right and anterior direction which compressed the dural sac. C: Horizontal sections at the superior margin of the L5 vertebra revealed bone fragments separated from the inferior articular processes of L4.](/cms/asset/258b6dca-9f40-4fe8-920e-eec0804918fb/iups_a_629750_f0004_b.jpg)
Figure 6. Postoperative plain posteroanterior view of the full spine in upright position revealed bony fusion and improvement of scoliosis.
![Figure 6. Postoperative plain posteroanterior view of the full spine in upright position revealed bony fusion and improvement of scoliosis.](/cms/asset/33cd7e2c-653b-4290-b8be-3b76906ae7d9/iups_a_629750_f0006_b.jpg)
Table I. Reported cases of spondylolysis at articular processes in the lumbar spine.