Spine With Bilateral Spondylolysis (Pars Defect), Grade 2 – Male, 27 years

Grade 2 bilateral spondylolysis, a defect in the pars interarticularis of the posterior vertebral arch. A common cause of axial back pain in adolescents, especially young athletes, the defect typically occurs in the lumbar spine, most often at L5.  Spondylolysis can persist in some cases to become spondylolisthesis. Typically, the L5 vertebral body slips forward on the S1 vertebral body, but also commonly occurs at the L4 and L5 levels. Patients unresponsive to conservative measures may benefit from surgical management.