Congenital L2-L3 Spondylolisthesis Due to Posterior Spinal Agenesis

Abstract

Congenital absence of the posterior elements of vertebra in lumbar spine is rare. Our review of the literature revealed only some reported cases of incomplete congenital absence of the posterior elements. There are some documents that reported the congenital absence of the lumbosacral articular facet joint. Complete congenital absence of the lumbar posterior element has been quite rarely reported in the literature. In this case we reported rare a case with congenital absence of the posterior element of lumbar vertebra including facet joint, lamina and spinous process and transverse process that produced back pain and did not respond to conservative treatment and continued to a more chronic illness. Because the patient did not respond to conservative management, there was an indication for surgery which include posterior spinal fixation with autograft fusion.