Clinical question: Evaluate for spondylolysis. Signs and symptoms: Low-back pain, sports month. Nonenhanced lumbar MRI:Examination demonstrates unilateral left-sided pars defect at L5 level with associated adjacent marrow signal hyperintensity on T2 and T2 STIR consistent with bone edema. The finding is best appreciated on sagittal T2 and T2 STIR on images 1 through 6 and axial images 11 and 12 on series 801 and 701.The signal intensity and the anatomical alignment of the vertebral column remains however beginning normal. There is mild decrease in disc height at L5-S1 level without significant signal abnormality/T2 hypointensity. No evidence of a spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise at any level.
1.Unilateral left-sided pars defect with associated adjacent bony edema as detailed.2.Mild degenerative disc disease and loss of disc height at L5/S1 level.3.Unremarkable nonenhanced lumbar MRI otherwise and without evidence of malalignment, spinal stenosis or neural foraminal compromise at any level.