Osteoporotic spondylolisthesis - A case report

Study Design. A case of spondylolisthesis caused by osteoporosis is describ ed. Objectives. To describe the different etiologies of spondylolisthesis, and to report a new cause of pathologic spondylolisthesis previously unreported in the literature. Summary of Background Data. The literature on the etiology of spondylolisth esis is reviewed. Pathologic spondylolisthesis has been described with stru ctural abnormalities, such as Paget's disease and tumors, but not with oste oporosis. Methods. A clinical and radiographic interpretation of the reported case is presented. Results. De Novo development of a spondylolisthesis at L5-S1 oc curred by gradual elongation of the pars interarticularis over a period of 3 years. Conclusion. The reported case adds to the literature on spondylolisthesis b y describing another etiology for this conclusion. Osteoporotic spondylolis thesis may well be identified more frequently in the future given the high prevalence of osteoporosis in the elderly.