Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2093-4378
eISSN 2093-4386
    J Korean Soc Spine Surg. 2010 Mar;17(1):38-48. Korean.
    Published online Mar 31, 2010.
    https://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2010.17.1.38
    ©Copyright 2010 Korean Society of Spine Surgery
    Review

    Current Concept on the Classification and Treatment of Spondylolisthesis

    Jae Chul Lee, M.D. and Byung-Joon Shin, M.D.
      • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
    • Corresponding author: Byung-Joon Shin, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, 657 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea. TEL: 82-2-709-9056, FAX : 82-2-794-9414, Email: schsbj@hosp.sch.ac.kr
    Received March 10, 2010; Accepted March 16, 2010.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Study Design

    A review of literature including classification and treatment of spondylolisthesis

    Objectives

    To review and discuss the classification and management of spondylolisthesis

    Summary of Literature Review

    Spondylolisthesis is one of the common spinal disorders that can create significant problems for the patients and spine surgeons, but there have been confusion of natural history and treatment strategies. It can be attributed to the absence of etiology-based classification system for individual patient prognosis and treatment decision.

    Materials and Methods

    Review of literature

    Results

    Marchetti and Bartolozzi have developed an etiology-based classification which has two main categories; developmental and acquired. These two types of spondylolisthesis seem to have significantly different natural histories and each of them needs different strategies for treatment.

    Conclusions

    Authors recommend using Marchetti and Bartolozzi classification system for spondylolisthesis patients.

    Keywords
    Lumbar spine; Spondylolisthesis; Classification; Treatment

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Comparison of Marchetti-Bartolozzi's classification with Wiltse's.

    Fig. 2
    Stress concentration on the pars during flexion and extension

    Fig. 3
    MRI sagittal view of high dysplastic spondylolisthesis in a 16-year-old girl. Note the trapezoidal L5 and rounding of S1 upper end plate

    Fig. 4
    Lateral view of low dysplastic spondylolisthesis in adult

    Fig. 5
    Low dysplastic spondylolisthesis in 42-year-old man. Note the spur formation on the anterior aspect of S1.

    Fig. 6
    Postsurgical spondylolisthesis. A 62-year-old woman had laminectomy on L4-5 2 years ago. Spondylolisthesis of L4 on L5 has been developed. Pre-laminectomy (A, B) and follow-up (C, D) AP and lateral views.

    Fig. 7
    Low dysplastic spondylolisthesis in 66-year-old man. Note marked narrowing of disc space with foraminal stenosis at L4-5 level.

    Fig. 8
    Measurement of slip by Meyerding scale (A) and Taillard grading (B)

    Fig. 9
    Slip angle is important only for high dysplastic spondylolisthesis

    Fig. 10
    Lumbar index=(A/B)×100

    Tables

    Table 1
    Wiltse classification

    Table 2
    Marchetti and Bartolozzi classification

    References

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    MeSH Terms
    Classification*
    Humans
    Natural History
    Prognosis
    Spine
    Spondylolisthesis*
    Metrics
    Share
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