Male, 15 years old, with low back pain. The pedicles, the superior articulating facets, and to a lesser degree the laminae of L4 are edematous. However, it does not appear that the pars interarticularis are fractured.No other concerning marrow signal change is seen. Vertebral body morphology is within normal limits. The lumbar lordosis is somewhat straightened but this could be positional. Alignment is otherwise unremarkable.The visualized distal spinal cord is unremarkable. The conus tip terminates at the L1 level which is normal. The nerve roots of the cauda equina disperse evenly through the thecal sac. No epidural abnormality is seen.The intervertebral discs demonstrate preservation of height and normal signal intensity. No significant disc bulge or disc herniation is seen. Mild facet arthropathy is demonstrated at L4-5. No spinal canal or foraminal stenosis is seen.
Edema within the pedicles, superior articulating facets and to a lesser degree the laminae of L4 may represent a stress reaction. The pars interarticularis appear to be intact.Mild facet arthropathy is evident at L4-5. Elsewhere, no significant abnormalities are seen.