CT features and clinical significance of lumbar articular facet syndrome

Objective: To discuss the CT features and its clinical significance of lumbar articular facet syndrome. Methods: Based on CT findings and clinical data of lumbar articular facet, 51 cases with lumbar articular facet syndrome and 11 normal young adults were analyzed and compared retrospectively. Results: The CT findings of lumbar articular facet syndrome were: (1)hyperostosis and hypertrophy of articular process; (2)the narrowing space of inter-articular facet; (3)vacuum sign in articular facet; (4)coarse and osteosclerosis of articular facet; (5)partial dislocation of articular facet; (6)calcification in peri-articular facet; (7)complications including disc bulge, discprotrusion, vacuum sign in disc, hypertrophy and calcification of ligamentum flavum. Conclusion: CT features of lumbar articular facet syndrome are multifarious, which should be analyzed in all respects. . (authors)