Traumatic Vertebral Body Second Lumbar over Third Lumbar Retrolisthesis in a Child: Reporting the First Case along with the Review of Relevant Literature

Traumatic retrolisthesis of the lumbar vertebrae is a rare entity in children. Only four such cases, two cases each of first lumbar-second lumbar (L1-L2) and L5-S1 retrolisthesis in children, have been reported so far in the English scientific literature. Here, we report a traumatic retrolisthesis of the L2 vertebra in an 8-year-old male child. He was injured when he lost control while playing, skidded, and fell into a 1-m deep drainage system hole. He presented with backache and urinary retention. His plain radiographs and noncontrast computed tomography of the lumbosacral spine revealed Meyerding Grade II retrolisthesis of the L2 vertebra over the third. The magnetic resonance imaging of the affected area revealed no significant canal narrowing, and there was no spinal cord compression or contusion. A urodynamic study was done which revealed a normal bladder function. The patient was given a trial of spontaneous urination by removing the Foley's catheter after 5 days of injury, and he passed urine normally. The patient was managed conservatively. He was discharged on day 7 with the advice of complete bed rest of 6 weeks and thoracolumbosacral orthoses. The patient has been in follow-up for the past 15 months, and his listhesis has completely resolved. The patient is ambulatory with no neurodeficit. This case is being presented in view of rarity. This is the first case report of L2 over L3 retrolisthesis in a child.