Spondylolysis (pars defect) on X-ray: 3 real cases

Real, openly licensed radiographs showing spondylolysis (pars defect). Study what to look for, then open each case and read it yourself before revealing the answer.

What to look for

Pars defect on the oblique view.

Learn: Spondylolisthesis and degenerative spine

Quiz yourself on spine images

Cases

Radiograph from the case bank: Spondylolysis (pars defect)

Case #45551503Spine · Intermediate

Case #12392489Spine · Intermediate

Case #12392606Spine · Intermediate

Other spine diagnoses

Ankylosing spondylitis
Degenerative spondylosis
Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)
Lumbar vertebral fracture
Scoliosis
Spondylolisthesis

Diagnoses come from each image's documented source. Credits and licences are shown on each case and on the image credits page.