Traumatic Retrolisthesis of L5 and L5/S1 Extruded Disc Herniation; A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Traumatic retrolisthesis is a rare injury and may result in intervertebral disc extrusion and nerve root injury. These injuries are highly unstable and require surgery for decompression and stabilization. Traumatic retrolisthesis of L5 with acute L5/S1 disc extrusion associated with nerve root injury has not been reported previously in English literatures. We herein report a case of traumatic retrolisthesis of L5 and extruded disc. A 22 year-old patient presented with lower extremity weakness due to L5/S1 retrolisthesis and traumatic acute L5/S1 disc extrusion after falling of 8 meters height. The patient underwent surgical decompression and reduction with instrumentation. Accordingly complete recovery of neurologic deficit was occurred. Therefore, early decompression of the nerve roots followed by circumferential instrumentation and fusion of the involved segment results in dramatic improvement in neurologic symptoms.