Significance of Facet Fluid Index in Anterior Cervical Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
- Author:
Yunsoo LEE
1
;
Jeremy C. HEARD
;
Mark J. LAMBRECHTS
;
Nathaniel KERN
;
Bright WIAFE
;
Perry GOODMAN
;
John J. MANGAN
;
Jose A. CANSECO
;
Mark F. KURD
;
Ian D. KAYE
;
Alan S. HILIBRAND
;
Alexander R. VACCARO
;
Christopher K. KEPLER
;
Gregory D. SCHROEDER
;
Jeffrey A. RIHN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2024;18(1):94-100
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:EN
-
Abstract:
Methods:Patients diagnosed with cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis were identified from a hospital’s medical records. Demographic and surgical characteristics were collected through a structured query language search and manual chart review. Radiographic measurements were made on preoperative MRIs for all vertebral levels diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and adjacent undiagnosed levels between C3 and C6. The facet fluid index was calculated by dividing the facet fluid measurement by the width of the facet. Bivariate analysis was conducted to compare facet characteristics based on radiographic spondylolisthesis and spondylolisthesis stability.
Results:We included 154 patients, for whom 149 levels were classified as having spondylolisthesis and 206 levels did not. The average facet fluid index was significantly higher in patients with spondylolisthesis (0.26±0.07 vs. 0.23±0.08, p <0.001). In addition, both fluid width and facet width were significantly larger in patients with spondylolisthesis (p <0.001 each). Cervical levels in the fusion construct demonstrated a greater facet fluid index and were more likely to have unstable spondylolisthesis than stable spondylolisthesis (p <0.001 each).
Conclusions:Facet fluid index is associated with cervical spondylolisthesis and an increased facet size and fluid width are associated with unstable spondylolisthesis. While cervical spondylolisthesis continues to be an inconclusive finding, vertebral levels with spondylolisthesis, especially the unstable ones, were more likely to be included in the fusion procedure than those without spondylolisthesis.
