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I have a query about spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis. I occasionally
have an opportunity to do some work in paleopathology and have recently come
across five cases of L5 spondylolysis with complete bilateral detachment of
the neural arch at the pars interarticularis. All cases are from females aged
between 30-45 yrs from a sample of 52 adult skeletons. There is no indication
of accompanying olisthesis. Each of the skeletons came from the same occupa-
tion level (50-75 yrs) at a single archaeological site located on Guam in the
Western Pacific.
My impression is that this figure of five cases is unusual. I have scanned
the paleopathological literature, and although spondylolysis occurs regularly,
such a high frequency is rarerly observed. And I have found only one bona fide
case of associated olisthesis.
I am much less familar with the clinical literature and was wondering if any
of the Biomech-L readers could direct me to some good review material on this
subject. What factors (age, sex, race, activity levels, etc.) predispose to
neural arch separation in the lumbar region? Does the condition tend to run
in families? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Doug Hanson
Bioengineering Department
Forsyth Dental Center
140 Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
BITNET:linda@NUHUB