Aims and objectives
To determine the diagnostic accuracy and inter-observer agreement of radiographs for spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis and compare with the magnetic resonance(MR) imaging and computed tomography(CT)
Methods and materials
A total of 982 lumbar radiographs performed in Bingol State Hospital between the dates of January to April 2018 were searched retrospectively.
Fifty-six patients who had MR and CT at the same week of radiographs were included.
Five patients who had lumber trauma or surgery between the imaging,
5 patients with the surgical materials and 6 patients with the low quality images were excluded.
Three radiologists evaluated the radiographs,
CT and MR of the remaining 40 patients between the ages of 17 and 64 independently...
Results
With the consensus of all reviewers,
4 patients have grade 1,
1 had grade 2,
and 35 patients had no spondylolisthesis.
There was also bilateral pars interarticularis defect in patient with grade 2 spondylolysthesis and all imaging modalities were able to demonstrate these findings.
Likewise,
there were bilateral spondylolysis in patients with grade 1 spondylolisthesis detected by all modalities.
Both radiographs,
CT and MR showed bilateral spondylolysis in 5 patients,
CT and MR showed but radiographs missed in 2 patients and only MR demonstrated in...
Conclusion
Lumbar radiograph is accurate to detect spondylolisthesis,
and bilateral pars interarticularis defect in patients with spondylisthesis.
However,
it is insufficient for the evaluation of spondyloysis in patients without spondylolisthesis.
We suggest that lumbar radiograph should not be used for the primary diagnosis but reserved for follow up in patients with spondylolisthesis.
If there is suspicion for new finding,
MR may be preferred to confirm the diagnosis.
MR or CT can be used for primary diagnosis of spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis after consideration of radiation exposure and...
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