[Cervical spondylolysis--a case report and review of the literature].

Spondylolysis of the sixth cervical vertebra was reported in a thirty-seven-year-old man. He complained of sleeplessness and had no history of trauma. Plain cervical spine films and CT scan showed separation of the bilateral pars interarticularis and hypoplasia of the superior and inferior articular processes of C6. And they showed compensated hyperplasia and upward deviation of the right superior articular process of C7, but there was no instability of cervical vertebra. Spina bifida occulta at C6 and deviation of the spinous process of C7 to the left side were observed clearly on CT scan. We gave him no surgical treatment because of his normal neurological state and absence of instability. Cervical spondylolysis is very rare disease, so only 48 cases have been reported in literature. Our case is the first case that reports findings of CT scan. Radiographic findings and the absence of history of trauma suggest a congenital etiology of this illness. In the 49 patients including our case, 35 patients were males and 14 were females. 35 patients complained of neck and/or occipital pain, 12 of pain and/or sensory disturbance of upper extremities, and 8 of shoulder pain and/or stiffness. The prevalent site of involvement appears to be C6 with only 14 cases involving another level, C2, C3, C4 or C5. 36 patients had spina bifida occulta and it was most frequently detected at the level of C6.