Congenital absence of the lumbar facet joint associated with bilateral spondylolysis of the fifth lumbar vertebra

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2013;53(2):118-21. doi: 10.2176/nmc.53.118.

Abstract

A 14-year-old boy presented with a rare case of congenital absence of lumbar facet joint manifesting as low back pain. Physical examination showed no neurological or hematologic abnormalities. Radiography revealed absence of a facet joint on the right side of L4-5. Computed tomography and three-dimensional computed tomography revealed absence of the facet joint on the right side of L4-5 and spondylolysis on both sides of L5. Pain subsided after conservative treatment. This is an extremely rare case of congenital absence of lumbar facet joint associated with bilateral spondylolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Low Back Pain / etiology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / abnormalities*
  • Male
  • Spondylolysis / congenital*
  • Spondylolysis / diagnosis
  • Spondylolysis / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Zygapophyseal Joint / abnormalities*