Spondylolysis is defined as the formation of a cleft in the pars interarticularis of a vertebral arch. This interrupts the area between the superior and inferior articular processes of the vertebral arch.
Classification
Spondylolysis can lead to spondylolisthesis and corresponds to grade 2 in the Wiltse classification. The spondylolisthesis resulting from spondylolysis can in turn be classified according to the Meyerding classification.
Imaging
The gold standard for imaging spondylolysis is CT. In many cases, spondylolysis can also be visualized on an X-ray or MRI image of the Spine.
