Correlation Between the Changes in the Facet Joint Orientation Measured by Multi-Plane Reconstruction Technique and Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

STUDY DESIGN: This study was a case-control study examining the relationship between changes in Facet Joint Orientation and degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. OBJECTIVE: The causal relationship between sagittal changes in the direction of the head-caudal facet joint and degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS) was investigated in this study. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND INFO: Several radiologic studies have indicated a correlation between DS and an increased sagittal orientation of the facet joints. However, the orientation of the facet joints has only been measured on 1 axial cut of computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with DS only at the L4/L5 level were assigned to the DS group, and 58 patients without DS were assigned to the control group. Two computed tomography scans were performed for the cephalad and caudad portions of the facet joint at L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1 levels, respectively. Delta facet angle was defined as facet angle (cephalad)-facet angle (caudad). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the joint angle of the L4/L5 head and tail processes between the DS group and the control group (P