Analysis of intervertebral disc degeneration above and below the vertebral body in pilots with lumbar spondylolysis
10.3760/cma.j.cn113854-20250528-00072
- VernacularTitle:腰椎峡部裂飞行员椎体上下方椎间盘退变程度分析
- Author:
Jinlong ZHANG
1
;
Yunpeng QIAN
1
;
Hongxia FAN
1
;
Ping WANG
1
;
Xiaoyan MA
1
;
Yuting SONG
1
;
Xiangsheng LI
1
Author Information
1. 空军军医大学空军特色医学中心医学影像科，北京 100142
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Intervertebral disc;
Lumbar vertebrae;
Spondylolisthesis;
Pilots
- From:
Chinese Journal of Aerospace Medicine
2025;36(3):212-215
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the degree of intervertebral disc degeneration above and below the vertebral body in pilots with lumbar spondylolysis.Methods:The medical records of 66 pilots who underwent lumbar imaging examinations at the Air Force Medical Center between September 2011 and January 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. The degree of intervertebral disc degeneration was compared between 33 pilots with lumbar spondylolysis and another 33 age-matched pilots without spondylolysis. The spondylolysis group was divided into subgroups with/without spondylolisthesis and unilateral/bilateral subgroups. The degree of disc degeneration above and below the vertebral body was compared between these subgroups using the modified Pfirrmann grading system.Results:The modified Pfirrmann scores of the discs above and below the spondylolytic vertebral body in the spondylolysis group were significantly higher than those at the corresponding segments in the non-spondylolysis group ( Z=-2.39, -4.41, P=0.017,<0.001). In pilots with spondylolysis accompanied by spondylolisthesis, the modified Pfirrmann score of the disc below the slipped vertebral body was significantly higher than that in pilots without spondylolisthesis ( Z=-3.02, P=0.003). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the modified Pfirrmann score of the disc above the slipped vertebral body between pilots with and without spondylolisthesis ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in the modified Pfirrmann scores of the discs above and below the vertebral body between pilots with unilateral and bilateral spondylolysis (both P>0.05). Conclusions:Pilots with lumbar spondylolysis exhibit severe intervertebral disc degeneration above and below the affected vertebral body. Spondylolisthesis can continue to exacerbate degeneration in the disc inferior to the affected vertebra.
