Degenerative spondylolisthesis L4/ L5 radiological parameters in patient with L5 Sacralization

Background: L5 Sacralization is normal variation in lumbar anatomy, but many authors believed this condition because of concentration of pressure in L4/ L5 level can speed up degenerative process (disk degeneration or listhesis…). However no study was compare spondylolisthesis radiological parameters in patient with and without sacralization of L5, our purpose is evaluation of radiological parameters in spondylolistesisL4/L5 in patient with and without L5 sacralization.

Methods: In cross sectional study we divided 78 patient with spondylolisthesis of L4/L5 in two group with (n=24) and without (n=54) L5 sacralization and evaluated facet osteoarthritis, degree of listhesis (%), disk degeneration, and facet orientation in two group and result was compared,

Results: There was no significant difference in the degree of anterior slippage of L4 on L5 (17.02±6.21 versus 16.65±4.87, p=0.809), facet orientation (54.99±12.18 versus 56.23±4.35, p=0.642), facet osteoarthritis (3.43±0.59 versus 3.53±0.37, p=0.527), or disc degeneration (4.50±0.51 versus 4.35±0.61, p=0.340) between the two groups

Conclusion: There is no significant relation between radiological parameters in two group and we thought influence of L5 sacralization on degenerative process of L4/L5 less significant than previously expected, but future study with large number of patient need to clarify the role of fixed L5 on degenerative process in lumbar spine.