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Around a third of all cervical spine injuries occur in the upper cervical spine in the area between the occiput and the second cervical vertebra. The latter being the most common location of the injury with around 70%. But also atlas fractures, occipital condyle fractures, traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2, atypical fractures in the corpus area as well as atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial ligamentous lesions should be mentioned in connection with injuries in this area. In many cases, conservative therapy regimen is possible. In unstable or displaced injuries, however, surgical intervention is required, with various surgical procedures being used. The frequency, diagnostics, classification, and standard therapy of the individual entities are presented in detail in this continuing medical education article., Competing Interests: Erklärung zu finanziellen Interessen Forschungsförderung erhalten: ja, von einer anderen Institution (Pharma- oder Medizintechnikfirma usw.); Honorar/geldwerten Vorteil für Referententätigkeit erhalten: ja, von einer anderen Institution (Pharma- oder Medizintechnikfirma usw.); Bezahlter Berater/interner Schulungsreferent/Gehaltsempfänger: ja, von einer anderen Institution (Pharma- oder Medizintechnikfirma usw.); Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an Firma (Nicht‐Sponsor der Veranstaltung): nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an Firma (Sponsor der Veranstaltung): nein Erklärung zu nichtfinanziellen Interessen Dt. Wirbelsäulengesellschaft (Präsident elect), AO Spine (Chair Research Commission)., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cervical Spondylolisthesis (CS) in children is under-studied. This cross-sectional study reports the CS prevalence in children., Materials & Methods: Subjects were selected from a private practice. Inclusion criteria: 0-17 years of age; documented demographics and health complaints; neutral lateral cervical (NLC) radiographs; and CS. Exclusion criteria: pseudosubluxation., Results: 342 NLC radiographs were analyzed. 73 (21.3%) had CS greater than 2.0 mm. 42 (57.5%) had no musculoskeletal complaints. 8 (2.3%) had the presence of a CS greater than 3.5 mm. 5 (62.5%) had no musculoskeletal complaints., Discussion: Pediatric populations endure various traumas. Pediatric cervical spine biomechanics has an increased risk of upper cervical spine injury. Regular spinal radiographic exams may help identify serious spinal conditions in their pre-symptomatic state., Conclusion: CS in pediatric populations is under-studied. CS is present in children and adolescents with and without symptoms., (Copyright Journal of Radiology Case Reports.)

Objective: This report analyzes the significance of osteophytes in the overall pathologic scheme in patients with single-level or multilevel cervical spinal degeneration., Methods: From January 2010 to December 2018, 249 patients with cervical spondylosis were surgically treated. The alterations in ventral compression caused by disc bulges, osteophytes, and ligament buckling (disc-osteophye-ligament [DOL] complex) at single or multiple levels were evaluated after surgical treatment that involved only spinal fixation and did not involve any kind of bone or soft tissue decompression. Delayed (≥1 year after surgery) postoperative imaging was available in 165 patients and these patients formed the study group. Forty-five patients underwent facet distraction arthrodesis (group A), 106 patients underwent only-fixation involving transarticular screw insertion (group B), and 14 patients underwent hybrid fixation that involved both intra-articular spacers and transarticular fixation techniques (group C) as the surgical treatment., Results: The size of the DOL complex at the segments that underwent fixation was reduced in 136 patients. The size of the DOL complex or its related dural or neural compression did not increase in any of the cases evaluated. Reduction in the size of DOL was more pronounced in patients in group A in both immediate postoperative and delayed images and in patients in group C at spinal levels at which facet distraction was performed using facet distraction spacers., Conclusions: Spinal stabilization reduces the size of osteophytes. Facet distraction spacers are more effective in reduction of the size of DOL in both immediate and delayed postoperative periods., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE), continuous radial gradient-echo (GRE), and True FISP allow real-time dynamic assessment of the spine., Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of adding dynamic sequences to routine spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of spondylolisthesis., Material and Methods: Retrospective review was performed of patients referred for dynamic MRI of the cervical or lumbar spine between January 2017 and 2018 who had flexion-extension radiographs within two months of MRI. Exclusion criteria were: incomplete imaging; spinal hardware; and inability to tolerate dynamic examination. Blinded, independent review by two board-certified musculoskeletal radiologists was performed to assess for spondylolisthesis (>3 mm translation); consensus review of dynamic radiographs served as the gold standard. Cervical spinal cord effacement was assessed. Inter-reader agreement and radiographic concordance was calculated for each sequence., Results: Twenty-one patients were included (8 men, 13 women; mean age 47.9 ± 16.5 years). Five had MRI of the cervical spine and 16 had MRI of the lumbar spine. Mean acquisition time was 18.4 ± 1.7 min with dynamic sequences in the range of 58-77 s. HASTE and True FISP had the highest inter-reader reproducibility (κ = 0.88). Reproducibility was better for the lumbar spine (κ = 0.94) than the cervical spine (κ = 0.28). Sensitivity of sequences for spondylolisthesis was in the range of 68.8%-78.6%. All three sequences had high accuracy levels: ≥90.5% averaged across the cervical and lumbar spine. Cervical cord effacement was observed during dynamic MRI in two cases (100% agreement)., Conclusion: Real-time dynamic MRI sequences added to spine MRI protocols provide reliable and accurate assessment of cervical and lumbar spine spondylolisthesis during flexion and extension.

Case: Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) presents with progressive muscle rigidity, postural instability, and periodic debilitating spasms. Reports of axial hyperextension exist, but kyphotic deformities have not been described. We surgically treated a patient with debilitating SPS and severe cervicothoracic hyperkyphosis with posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation. At 1-year follow-up, the patient displayed better upright gait and forward gaze, 18° cervical lordosis, and improved patient-reported outcome scores., Conclusion: SPS can lead to extreme spinal deformity and disease, including hyperkyphosis of the cervicothoracic spine, and can successfully be managed with a multidisciplinary team and a posterior-only correction with spinal instrumentation and fusion., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSCC/B326)., (Copyright © 2020 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Background: Although pelvic and related parameters have been well stated in lumbar developmental spondylolisthesis, cervical sagittal alignment in these patients is poorly studied, especially in high dysplastic developmental spondylolisthesis (HDDS). The purpose of this study is to investigate the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine in HDDS and how the cervical spine responds to reduction of spondylolisthesis., Methods: Thirty-three adolescent patients with lumbar developmental spondylolisthesis who received preoperative and postoperative whole-spine x-rays were reviewed. They were divided into the HDDS group (n = 24, 13.0 ± 2.2 years old) and the low dysplastic developmental spondylolisthesis (LDDS) group (n = 9, 15.6 ± 1.9 years old). Spinal and pelvic sagittal parameters, including cervical lordosis (CL), were measured and compared between groups. In the HDDS group, the postoperative parameters were measured and compared with those before surgery., Results: HDDS group had a higher proportion of cervical kyphosis (70.8% vs. 22.2%, P = 0.019), and there was a significant difference in CL between the two groups (- 8.5° ± 16.1° vs. 10.5° ± 11.8°, P = 0.003). CL was correlated with the Dubousset's lumbosacral angle (Dub-LSA), pelvic tilt (PT), and thoracic kyphosis (TK). In the HDDS group, CL in patients with a kyphotic cervical spine was significantly improved after reduction of spondylolisthesis (- 16.4° ± 5.9° vs. - 3.6° ± 9.9°, P < 0.001). In the HDDS group, 46% (6/13) of the patients with postoperative Dub-LSA < 90° still had sagittal imbalance (sagittal vertical axis, [SVA] > 5 cm), while no sagittal imbalance was observed in patients with postoperative Dub-LSA > 90° (46% [6/13] vs. 0% [0/11], P = 0.016)., Conclusions: HDDS can lead to cervical kyphosis through a series of compensatory mechanisms. Reduction of spondylolisthesis and correction of lumbosacral kyphosis may correct the cervical kyphosis and normalize the overall spinal sagittal profile. Correction of Dub-LSA to above 90° might be used as an objective to better improve the sagittal alignment of the spine.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of cervical spondylolisthesis according to age and vertebral level and its association with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). This study included 959 participants (319 men and 640 women; mean age, 66.4 years) in the Wakayama Spine Study from 2008 to 2010. The outcome measures were cervical spinal canal (CSC) diameter at C5 level on plain radiographs, the degree of cervical spondylosis using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade, cervical cord compression on sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and physical signs related to DCM. The prevalence of cervical anterior and posterior spondylolisthesis was investigated in men and women by age. In addition, logistic regression analysis determined the association between CSC diameter, posterior spondylolisthesis, and clinical DCM after overall adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. The prevalence of anterior spondylolisthesis was 6.0% in men and 6.3% in women, and that of posterior spondylolisthesis was 13.2% and 8.9%, respectively. In addition, posterior spondylolisthesis prevalence increased with age in both sexes. Logistic regression analysis revealed that developmental canal stenosis (≤13 mm) and cervical posterior spondylolisthesis are independent significant predictive factors for DCM. The prevalence of degenerative cervical posterior spondylolisthesis was increasing with age and more frequent in men than in women. Narrow canal and degenerative cervical posterior spondylolisthesis on X-ray may be useful in predicting or diagnosing DCM.

Introduction: Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis, including compressive-extension stage 5 of Allen's classification of cervical spine injuries, is commonly observed; however, cases involving locked spinous process and vertebral arch into the spinal canal are extremely rare., Case Presentation: We present two individuals with spondyloptosis of C7 with locked spinous process of C6 and the vertebral arch into the spinal canal. Closed reduction was unable to be performed due to rigid locking of the cervical spine in the first case, whereas preoperative closed reduction was achieved with mild traction in a prone position after general anaesthesia in the second case. These two individuals underwent spinal fusion via a posterior approach after open or closed reduction. Six months after surgery, both individuals exhibited significant neurological recovery and acquired a stable gait., Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of traumatic 'locked spondyloptosis' of the spinous process and vertebral arch into the spinal canal. Although high-grade compressive-extension injuries are usually repaired using a combined anterior-posterior approach, repair is possible with a posterior approach alone with reliable anchors, such as pedicle screws or multiple lateral mass screws. Urgent open reduction may be required for locked spondyloptosis when closed reduction is invalid due to rigid locking of the cervical spine.

Objective: Axial spinal pain generators are difficult to identify using current diagnostic modalities. Merging CT with SPECT (CT-SPECT) scans allows for accurate identification of areas with increased osteoblastic activity, which may reflect pain generators. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the degree of pain improvement in patients who underwent surgery, addressing primary pain generators identified by CT-SPECT., Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed all patients with chronic axial spine pain who underwent diagnostic CT-SPECT at their institution and analyzed pain improvement in those who underwent surgical treatment in order to determine whether CT-SPECT correctly identified the primary pain generator., Results: A total of 315 patients underwent diagnostic CT-SPECT between January 2014 and August 2018. Forty-eight patients underwent either cervical or lumbar fusion; there were 26 women (16 cervical, 10 lumbar) and 22 men (9 cervical, 13 lumbar). The overall axial spinal pain, as assessed through self-reporting of visual analog scale scores at 6 months postoperatively, improved from 9.04 ± 1.4 to 4.34 ± 2.3 (p = 0.026), with cervical fusion patients improving from 8.8 ± 1.8 to 3.92 ± 2.2 (p = 0.019) and lumbar fusion patients improving from 9.35 ± 0.7 to 4.87 ± 2.3 (p = 0.008)., Conclusions: CT-SPECT may offer a diagnostic advantage over current imaging modalities in identifying the primary pain generator in patients with axial spinal pain.

Study Design: This is a retrospective analysis of kinematic magnetic resonance images (kMRI)., Objective: To assess the association of cervical paraspinal muscle with cervical sagittal balance and degenerative spinal disorders., Summary of Background Data: Although the effects of spinal disorders and cervical imbalance on patient's symptoms have been well described, the relationship of the cervical muscle quality and volume to cervical imbalance or spinal disorders is not well established., Materials and Methods: In total, 100 kMRI taken in a neutral weight-bearing position were analyzed. The adjusted cross-sectional area ratio (aCSA ratio: the value of muscle CSA divided by the vertebral CSA) and fat infiltration ratio of the transversospinalis muscles at C4 and C7 vertebral levels were measured using axial slice of kMRI. The correlation with cervical balance parameters [Oc-C2 angle, C2-C7 angle, C7-T1 angle, C7 slope, T1 slope, cranial tilt, cervical tilt, thoracic inlet angle (TIA), and neck tilt] and cervical degenerative disorders (disk degeneration, Modic change, and spondylolisthesis) were evaluated., Results: The aCSA ratio at C4 correlated with C2-C7 angle (r=0.267), C7 slope (r=0.207), T1 slope (r=0.221), disk degeneration at C3-4, C4-5, C5-6 (r=-0.234, -0.313, -0.262) and spondylolisthesis at C3 (anterior: r=-0.206, posterior: r=-0.249). The aCSA ratio at C7 correlated with disk degeneration at C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, C6-7 (r=-0.209, -0.294, -0.239, -0.209). The fat infiltration ratio at C4 correlated with TIA (r=0.306) and neck tilt (r=0.353), likewise the ratio at C7 correlated with TIA (r=0.270) and neck tilt (r=0.405). All correlations above were statistically significant with P<0.05., Conclusions: The paraspinal muscle volume showed significant relationship with the cervical balance parameters and disk degeneration. While, paraspinal muscle quality related to the thoracic inlet parameters. Our findings can be an important step to develop the knowledge of the association between cervical muscle and cervical degenerative disorders, as well as the sagittal balance of the cervical spine., Level of Evidence: Level III.

Study Design: Retrospective observational and case-control study., Objective: To determine the risk factors for progression of degenerative listhesis by comparing patients with and without progression at greater than 5-year follow-up., Summary of Background Data: The previous study with 2- to 7-year follow-up showed that degenerative spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine did not progress. Longer-term follow-up may reveal that these patients actually do progress over time., Methods: We identified 218 patients with greater than 5-year follow-up without surgery. They were categorized as either having or not having cervical spondylolisthesis. We defined spondylolisthesis as the presence of greater than 2 mm of translation in standing neutral lateral radiographs of the cervical spine at the initial evaluation. The control group at baseline was those without spondylolisthesis. Progression of translation was defined as greater than 2 mm of additional translation on the final standing neutral radiograph., Results: The mean follow-up duration was 6.4 ± 1.0 years (range: 5-9.4 yr). Progression of translation was found in 20 patients (9.2%), including 4 patients in the spondylolisthesis group and 16 patients in the control group. Progression of translation was not related to the presence of spondylolisthesis or the severity of translation at the initial evaluation, but was more common in the elderly and in the patients with anterior translation than those with posterior translation at the initial evaluation. In addition, progression of spondylolisthesis was not correlated with any change of symptoms., Conclusion: Progression of cervical spondylolisthesis is not related to the presence of spondylolisthesis at baseline., Level of Evidence: 4.

Rationale: False localizing sign means that the lesion, which is the cause of the symptom, is remote or distant from the anatomical site predicted by neurological examination. This concept contradicts the classical clinicoanatomical correlation paradigm underlying neurological examinations., Patient Concerns: A 54-year-old man consulted for the right sciatica-like leg pain that had aggravated 1 year ago. Radiological examinations revealed degenerative spondylolisthesis with instability and right-sided recess stenosis at the L4-5 level. After initial improvement following 3 transforaminal epidural steroid injections with gabapentin and antidepressant medication, there was a recurrence of the symptoms a year later, along with wasting of the right leg for several months. Physical examination revealed difficulty in heel-walking and a weakness of extension of the right big toe; tendon reflexes were normal. Lumbar spine radiographs revealed no new findings. The initial course of treatment was repeated, but was ineffective., Diagnoses: Further cervicothoracic spine evaluations revealed a right-sided intradural-extramedullary mass and myelopathy at the C1-2 level., Interventions: The cervical mass was surgically resected and identified histopathologically as a schwannoma., Outcomes: Immediately after surgery, sciatica-like pain and weakness of right leg were completely resolved., Lessons: It is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis if there are symptoms caused by false localizing sign. Additionally, it is even more difficult to diagnose false localizing sign accurately when there is a co-existing lumbar lesion that can cause the similar symptoms.

Introduction: Paediatric cervical spine injuries are uncommon. Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis (TSA) is commonly encountered in the trauma setting. The management of TSA may be surgical or non-surgical. Decision making is quite challenging depending on patient presentation and nature of injury, and even more so in the paediatric age group., Objectives: To present a case report highlighting the challenges in the management of TSA., Methods: We present an 8 year old male, who sustained a bilateral C2 pars fracture with associated unusual C2-C3 posterior subluxation., Results: Neuroradiological studies identified the fracture/subluxation of C2-C3 and revealed an intact but posteriorly displaced C2-C3 disc causing cord compression. An Extension Halter traction was initially commenced. This seemed to have worsened the patient's neck pains, and caused motor weakness and autonomic dysfunction. An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion was finally decided on and performed after evaluation and brainstorming by our spinal Unit. Intra-operative findings revealed separation of the C2-C3 disc from the C3 superior end plate which probably explains the unusual nature of the subluxation., Conclusion: The case shows that surgical intervention as a primary management for TSA even in the paediatric age group is safe and also avoids risks inherent in conservative management.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is commonly performed using an allograft or autograft implant and anterior screw-supported plate. There has been an increase in the use of standalone cage devices due to ease of use and studies suggesting a lower rate of acute postoperative dysphagia. We review our experience with standalone cage devices and identify risk factors, patterns of failure, and revision surgery approaches., Methods: We performed a retrospective case series of patients treated at a single tertiary care institution between March 2014 and March 2015. Inclusion criteria were aged 18-100 years, 1- or 2-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with a standalone cervical cage. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, Charlson comorbidity score, primary diagnosis, and surgical characteristics. Descriptive statistics were performed for risk of readmission, implant failure, revision, and other complications., Results: We identified 211 patients who met our study criteria. Average surgical time was 107 ± 43 minutes, with an estimated blood loss of 84.6 ± 32.4 mL. There were 11 (5.2%) readmissions. There were 10 (4.74%) implant failures (5 involving single-level surgery and 5 involving 2-level surgery), with 7 cases of pseudoarthrosis. Mechanisms of failure included a C5 body fracture, fusion in a kyphotic alignment after graft subsidence, and acute spondylolisthesis., Conclusions: Revision surgery after standalone anterior cervical implants can be complex. Posterior cervical fusion remains a valuable approach to avoid possible vertebral body fracture and loss of fusion area associated with the removal of implants secured through the endplates of adjacent vertebral bodies., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND Total spondylolisthesis, or dislocation of 1 cervical vertebrae, is only caused by high-energy trauma and is usually fatal. Cervical spine fractures and dislocations often cause 3-column structural damage to the cervical spine, injury to the spinal cord, and precipitating alignment of the cervical vertebrae, as well as cervical instability, which are detrimental, show poor prognosis, and are associated with high rates of mortality rate and disability. CASE REPORT We report an extremely rare case of isolated C5 dislocation caused by falling out of a tree, with sudden tetraplegia. CONCLUSIONS Total spondylolisthesis or dislocation of 1 cervical vertebrae can be surgically treated with anterior approach because it is possible to completely remove the vertebra body, intervertebral disc, and bone fragments, to directly decompress the spinal cord with stabilization.

The objective was to evaluate motion, disc degeneration and Space Available for Cord (SAC) at the adjacent segments of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis (DCS) using kinematic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (kMRI). The cervical spine kMRI of sixty-one DCS spinal levels (38 anterolisthesis and 23 retrolisthesis) were analyzed at the listhesis level and its adjacent segments in three position using kMRI. MRAnalyzer3 was used to analyze translation, angular motion and SAC. The caudad level had significantly less translation motion than the listhesis level in overall DCS or grade 2 anterolisthesis group (P<0.05). The cephalad level had significant more translational motion than the caudad level in overall DCS or grade 1 retrolisthesis group (P<0.05). For disc degeneration, the cephalad level had the least disc degeneration and showed significant difference with the listhesis level in overall DCS or overall anterolisthesis or overall retrolisthesis or grade 2 anterolisthesis or grade 1 or 2 retrolisthesis (P<0.05). For SAC, the listhesis level had the narrowest space in overall DCS groups. In neutral position, grade 1 anterolisthesis had significantly larger SAC at the listhesis and the cephalad level than grade 1 retrolisthesis (P<0.05). In conclusion, DCS affected cervical spine motion and kinematics. Grade 1 retrolisthesis showed tendency of narrower SAC at the cephalad level more than the same grade anterolisthesis. The likelihood of the adjacent segment disease and spinal cord compression are higher in both grade 2 anterolisthesis and retrolisthesis., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background Context: T1 slope is a novel thoracic parameter used to assess cervical spine sagittal balance. Thoracic index (TI) parameters including T1 slope and cervical sagittal alignment parameters may play an important role in degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis (DCS). Current literature regarding the relationship between TI and cervical sagittal alignment parameters in patients with DCS is limited., Purpose: (1) To evaluate the T1 slope, cervical sagittal alignment, and thoracic inlet parameter in patients with DCS using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI), and (2) to find a correlation between the T1 slope, TI, and other cervical sagittal parameters in patients with DCS., Design/setting: Retrospective kMRI study, Level III., Patient Sample: Fifty-two patients with DCS from 1,128 patients from a cervical kMRI database., Outcome Measures: T1 slope, C2-C7 angle, sagittal vertical axis C2-C7 (SVA C2-C7), cranial tilt, cervical tilt, neck tilt, and thoracic inlet angle (TIA)., Methods: Cervical spine kMRIs of 52 patients with DCS (mean age 51.7±standard deviation) were analyzed in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. Patients with DCS were divided into two groups: anterolisthesis (N=33) and retrolisthesis (N=19). Each listhesis group was subclassified into grade 1 (slip 2-3 mm) and grade 2 (slip>3 mm)., Results: Grade 2 retrolisthesis had the largest T1 slope followed by grade 1 retrolisthesis, grade 2 anterolisthesis, and grade 1 anterolisthesis. Significant differences were found between the anterolisthesis and the retrolisthesis groups in the neutral position (p=.025). The flexion position had the largest T1 slope and showed a significant difference with anterolisthesis in the neutral position (p=.041). Sagittal vertical axis C2-C7 showed strong correlation with cranial tilt in all DCS groups and all positions., Conclusions: In our study, T1 slope was larger in grade 2 DCS, and the retrolisthesis group had larger T1 slope than the anterolisthesis group. Presence of larger T1 slope was significantly correlated with larger cervical lordosis curvature. Furthermore, cranial tilt was strongly correlated with SVA C2-C7., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Injuries to the upper cervical spine represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the treating surgeon due to the complex anatomical relationships and biomechanical features. In this further education article the diagnostic principles, established classifications and therapeutic recommendations as well as injury-specific characteristics of bony and ligamentous injuries to the upper cervical spine (C0-C2) are presented.

Background: Both ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) and the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament are relatively rare clinical entities. We report a extremely rare case of the spinal canal stenosis because of OYL, OPLL and listhesis at the cervicothoracic junction., Case Description: A 69-year-old man had progressive pain over his bilateral axillar portion and right lower extremity for 1 year. Radiology showed cervical canal stenosis with ossification of OYL, OPLL, and listhesis at the cervicothoracic junction. Posterior decompression therapy was performed, and he recovered entirely from his symptoms., Conclusions: Triple factors of OYL, OPLL and listhesis contributed the cervical canal stenosis limited at cervicothoracic junction. Early diagnosis and surgical therapy is recommended for the good prognosis of this pathologic condition, as well as careful long-term follow-up for the early detection of its recurrence., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the application value of diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) in evaluating microstructural changes in the spinal cord of patients with early cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)., Patients and Methods: Twenty-five patients with early clinical stage CSM and twenty-five healthy controls underwent 3.0T MR scans with conventional MRI sequences and DKI with echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence. DKI metrics such as fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and mean diffusional kurtosis (MK) values were calculated separately for white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM)., Results: MK of the WM and GM were significantly higher in patients with early CSM than in healthy controls (P<0.005)., Conclusions: MK can reflect microstructural changes of white matter and gray matter of spinal cord in patients with early CSM and has the potential to provide new information prior to conventional diffusion metrics such as MD and FA., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Study Design: A retrospective study., Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of increased segmental range of motion (ROM) after laminoplasty and to clarify whether increased ROM is associated with spondylolisthesis. Finally, we explored the effect of increased segmental ROM on clinical results., Summary of Background Data: Cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy causes reduced ROM, possibly due to the unintended contracture of the facet joint or a bony union. Although it is rarely studied, ROM may also increase following laminoplasty. Thus far, there are no reports describing the correlation between increased segmental ROM and segmental spondylolisthesis after laminoplasty., Methods: We evaluated 187 segments from 39 cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients who underwent bilateral open door laminoplasty from C2 to C7. The segmental ROM and spondylolisthesis were measured using dynamic radiographs that were obtained preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was used for clinical evaluation. To compare the clinical results, we compared the cases with increased ROM in at least one segment with the remaining cases., Results: Increased segmental ROM (i.e., ≥5° increase) was observed in 25 of 187 segments (13.4%) from 14 cases. There was a strong correlation between increased ROM and spondylolisthesis. A high preoperative disc height was associated with increased segmental ROM 2 years postoperation. Regardless of the correlation with spondylolisthesis, there was no statistically significant correlation between increased segmental ROM and JOA score., Conclusion: The decrease in segmental ROM after laminoplasty was not uniform. Approximately 13.4% of all segments showed increased ROM. The preoperative disc height might influence the risk for increased segmental ROM. Furthermore, increased ROM was correlated with spondylolisthesis in the segment, though it was not correlated with clinical results., Level of Evidence: 4.

Background: Congenital spondylolytic spondylolisthesis of C2 vertebra resulting from deficient posterior element of the axis is rarely described in the literature., Case Description: We describe a unique case of agenesis of posterior elements of C2 with craniovertebral junction anomalies consisting of osseous, vascular, and soft tissue anomalies. A 26-year-old man presented with symptoms of upper cervical myelopathy of 12 months' duration. A computed tomography scan of the cervical spine including the craniovertebral junction revealed spondylolisthesis of C2 over C3, atlantoaxial dislocation, occipitalization of the atlas, hypoplasia of the odontoid, and cleft posterior C1 arch. Additionally, the axis vertebra was found devoid of its posterior elements except bilaterally rudimentary pedicles. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed tonsilar herniation, suggesting associated Chiari type I malformation. CT angiogram of the vertebral arteries displayed persistent bilateral first intersegmental arteries crossing the posterior aspect of the C1/2 facet joint. This patient underwent foramen magnum decompression, C3 laminectomy with occipito-C3/C4 posterior fusion using screw and rod to maintain the cervical alignment and stability., Conclusion: We report this rare constellation of congenital craniovertebral junction anomaly and review the relevant literature., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is a common disease. The importance of sagittal malalignment in the DS population has been widely described. However, there is no study reporting sagittal alignment analysis in double-level DS. This study aims to analyze patients with double-level DS and compare them with single-level DS patients in terms of demographic and radiographic data., Methods: Retrospective multicenter (n = 13) study. Adult patients with one (uni&#95;DS) or two-level DS (multi&#95;DS) were included. Sagittal radiographic parameters were measured by an experienced observer: pelvic, spinal and global parameters with C7 sagittal tilt (C7 tilt, angle between the center of C7 vertebral body and the middle of the sacral endplate with the vertical reference line). After a descriptive analysis, radiographic and demographic data were compared between single and multi&#95;DS., Results: 78 patients were included in multi&#95;DS group and 576 in uni&#95;DS group. Multi&#95;DS were older than uni&#95;DS (70.2 ± 9.4 vs 66.9 ± 10.6 years, p = 0.009). C7tilt was greater in multi&#95;DS (6.2° ± 5.3 vs. 4.8° ± 3.8, p = 0.003). Multi&#95;DS had a greater pelvic incidence (62.4° ± 11.3 vs. 58.3° ± 11.1, p = 0.002). Pelvic tilt was larger in multi-DS (26.0° ± 7.5 vs. 22.6° ± 8.1, p = 0.001). L4S1 lordosis represented 40.4 % of the LLmax in multi&#95;DS and 45.8 % in uni&#95;DS group (p = 0.013)., Conclusions: Multi&#95;DS have different sagittal alignment than single DS with greater PI. In multi&#95;DS, malalignment is more important with larger anterior tilt, loss of lumbosacral lordosis and more compensatory mechanisms such as pelvic retroversion. These findings highlight the need for an adapted surgical correction in these older patients with greater sagittal malalignment.

Background Context: Previous studies have shown an association between the degree of cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and spinal cord conditions of the cervical spine. However, there is no information available on the association between the severity of cervical DS and the orientation of the cervical facet joints. This study examined the association between the severity of cervical DS and facet tropism., Purpose: This study aimed to retrospectively explore the relationship between facet tropism and cervical DS and the effect of facet tropism on cervical DS., Study Design: A retrospective review of radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with or without cervical DS was carried out., Patient Sample: A total of 200 patients from a single institution who underwent both MRI and radiography were reviewed., Outcome Measures: The facet angles at the C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6 levels based on axial MRI in the two groups and the slippage degree at C4-C5 based on neutral lateral radiographs in the experimental group were measured and calculated., Methods: One hundred patients with only C4-C5 level cervical DS who were treated in our hospital from January 2005 to August 2011 were selected as the experimental group. One hundred age- and sex-matched spinal disease-free patients were selected as the control group from patients who presented for physical examinations. Comparative analysis of the obtained parameters was performed to determine significant differences between the examined levels in the two groups and to investigate the association between cervical DS and facet tropism., Results: Facet tropism at C4-C5 was significantly greater than that at C3-C4 and C5-C6 in the experimental group (C4-C5 vs. C3-C4, p<.001; C4-C5 vs. C5-C6, p<.001), but there were no significant differences between the examined levels in the control group (p=.075). Facet tropism at C4-C5 in the moderate spondylolisthesis patients was significantly greater than that in the severe spondylolisthesis patients (p=.036), but facet tropism severity did not vary with the degree of spondylolisthesis in the experimental group (p=.108)., Conclusions: This study revealed that facet tropism is universally present at the C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6 levels and that the greatest degree of facet tropism exists in spondylolisthesis-affected levels. Although there was no significant correlation between facet tropism severity and the degree of spondylolisthesis, facet tropism was found to increase the risk of the development of spondylolisthesis. This finding suggested that facet tropism may play a significant role in cervical DS., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Spondylolisthesis coexisting with tuberculosis is rarely reported. There is a controversy whether spondylolisthesis coexists or precedes tuberculosis. Few cases of pathological spondylolisthesis secondary to tuberculous spondylodiscitis have been reported in the lumbar and lumbosacral spine. All cases in the literature presented as anterolisthesis, except one which presented as posterolisthesis of lumbar spine. Spondylolisthesis in the cervical spine is mainly degenerative and traumatic. Spondylolisthesis due to tuberculosis is not reported in the lower cervical spine. The exact mechanism of such an occurrence of spondylolisthesis with tuberculosis is sparsely reported in the literature and inadequately understood. We report a rare case of high grade pathological posterolisthesis of the lower cervical spine due to tubercular spondylodiscitis in a 67-year-old woman managed surgically with a three-year follow-up period. This case highlights the varied and complex presentation of tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine and gives insight into its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.

Object: The object of this study was to describe the authors' method of anterior discectomy/corpectomy and fusion combined with internal fixation for the treatment of unstable hangman's fractures and to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes., Methods: This study included 38 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for unstable hangman's fractures between July 2002 and October 2011 and were followed up for more than 2 years. The patients were 18 women and 20 men with a mean age of 42.8 years (range 20-69 years). The fracture resulted from a fall in 9 patients, a motor vehicle accident in 21 patients, and a motorcycle accident in 8 patients. The Levine-Edwards classification was Type II in 13 patients, Type IIA in 20 patients, and Type III in 5 patients. All patients underwent anterior C2-3 intervertebral disc excision or C-3 corpectomy, decompression and reduction, interbody implantation of an autologous iliac bone graft, and internal fixation with a titanium plate. Pain was assessed before and after surgery using a visual analog scale (VAS). Myelopathy was graded using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Patient satisfaction with the surgery was assessed using Odom's grading system. Anteroposterior, lateral, and dynamic (flexion/extension) radiographs were obtained during the follow-up period. Two-dimensional CT studies with sagittal and coronal reconstructions were routinely performed., Results: The mean follow-up period was 49.2 months (range 24-132 months). There was a significant decrease between the preoperative and final follow-up VAS scores (mean [SD] 7.56 ± 1.52 vs 2.36 ± 1.25, p < 0.05) and a significant increase between the preoperative and final follow-up JOA scores (12.58 ± 1.34 vs 16.13 ± 1.17, p < 0.05). Postoperative radiographs showed satisfactory reduction of the fracture in all cases. Postoperative complications included transient neurological deficits (3 cases), hematoma (2 cases), temporary dysphagia (5 cases), temporary hoarseness (2 cases), prolonged pain at the iliac crest donor site (4 cases), and wound infection at the iliac crest donor site (2 cases). Solid fusion was achieved in 94.7% of patients at the final follow-up., Conclusions: Anterior discectomy/corpectomy and fusion combined with internal fixation is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of unstable hangman's fractures.

Study Design: A cross-sectional imaging study., Objective: To investigate the relationship between cervical and lumbar spine lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to analyze associated factors in those with concurrent cervical and lumbar endplate erosion (EE)., Summary of Background Data: Both the lumbar and cervical spines are often involved in RA, but little is known about the relationship between cervical and lumbar lesions. EE is often found in the spine of RA patients, but its prevalence and associated factors have not been well studied., Methods: We enrolled 201 RA patients in this study. Cervical lesions (horizontal and vertical atlantoaxial dislocation, subaxial subluxation) and lumbar lesions (vertebral fracture, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis) were evaluated on plain radiographs. EE was evaluated on sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance images, and graded into 4 categories. The prevalence of each lesion was calculated, and correlations between general cervical and lumbar lesions and between cervical and lumbar EE were analyzed. To assess the clinical condition of RA, we evaluated disease duration, Steinbrocker stage, modified Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire results, and Disease Activity Score for 28 joints with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Factors associated with concurrent lumbar and cervical EE were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis., Results: Cervical lesions were found in 42.3% of patients and lumbar lesions in 56.2%. There was no significant correlation between the presence of cervical and the presence of lumbar lesions, but patients with cervical subaxial subluxation were significantly more likely to have lumbar spondylolisthesis. Cervical EE (≥1 points) was found in 61.2% of patients and lumbar EE in 39.3%. Total cervical EE score was significantly correlated with lumbar EE score. Moderate/high disease activity, Steinbrocker stage IV, and severe cervical or lumbar disk degeneration were associated with concurrent cervical and lumbar EE., Conclusions: Some cervical lesions are significantly associated with lumbar spinal lesions. Concurrent cervical and lumbar EE are related to RA disease activity and peripheral joint deterioration, suggesting that RA activity may play an important role in total spinal involvement.

Objective: Patients with cervical instability and intramedullary signal intensity changes on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans may benefit from not only cervical decompression but also from fusion surgery. Transarticular screw (TAS) fixation is a useful technique for posterior fixation. We first report treating a patient with cervical spondylosis and instability by cervical laminoplasty with TAS fixation using a bioabsorptive screw., Methods: A 66-year-old woman who had undergone surgery for carcinoma of the tongue via the anterior approach experienced cervical myelopathy. Radiologic findings showed severe cervical canal stenosis with myelomalacia and spondylolisthesis at C4/C5 with instability., Results: We performed laminoplasty of C3 to C7 and TAS fixation of C4/C5 using a bioabsorptive poly-L-lactide screw that contained hydroxyapatite. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and at 1 year after treatment we confirmed C4/C5 fusion., Conclusions: Our method has advantages over metal instrumentation. The treated area can be evaluated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging, and the space left after screw absorption is filled by newly formed bone. Because our screw contains hydroxyapatite, it is osteoconductive. This may increase the fusion rate and induce substitution with new bone. To our knowledge this is the first patient treated by cervical posterior TAS fixation via the use of a bioabsorptive screw. Our method is safe and economical and free of the complications elicited by the use of metal parts. TAS fixation with a bioabsorptive screw may be appropriate for one fixation in patients without severe instability., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The authors present a case of traumatic, complete, high cervical spine injury in a patient with gradual worsening deformity and neck pain while in rigid cervical collar immobilization, ultimately resulting in coronal-plane spondyloptosis. Due to the extent of lateral displacement of the spinal elements, preoperative evaluation included catheter angiography, which revealed complete right vertebral artery (VA) occlusion. A prophylactic arterial bypass graft from the right occipital artery to the extradural right VA was fashioned to augment posterior circulation blood supply prior to reduction and circumferential instrumented fusion. Following surgery, the patient was able to participate in an aggressive rehabilitation program allowing early mobilization, and he ceased to be ventilator-dependent following implantation of a diaphragmatic pacer. The authors review factors leading to progression of this type of injury and suggest technical pearls as well as highlight specific management pitfalls, including operative risks.

Purpose: Recent literature shows that occult discoligamentous injuries still remain difficult to diagnose in the first instance. Thresholds as indicators for discoligamentous segmental instability were previously defined. But, since supine radiodiagnostic is prone to spontaneous reduction of a displaced injury, and even some highly unstable injuries reveal only slight radiographic displacement, these criteria might mislead in the traumatized patient. A highly accurate radiographic instrument to assess segmental motion is the computer-assisted quantitative motion analysis (QMA). The aim was to evaluate the applicability of the QMA in the setting of a traumatized patient., Methods: Review of 154 patients with unstable cervical injuries C3-7. Seventeen patients (male/female: 1:5, age: 44.6 years) had history of initially hidden discoligamentous injuries without signs of neurologic impairment. Initial radiographs did not fulfill instability criteria by conventional analysis. Instability was identified by late subluxation/dislocation, persisting/increasing neck pain, and/or scheduled follow-up. For 16 patients plain lateral radiographs were subjected to QMA. QMA data derived were compared with normative data of 140 asymptomatic volunteers from an institutional database., Results: Data analysis of measurements revealed mean spondylolisthesis of -1.0 mm (-3.7 to +3.4 mm), for segmental rotational angle mean angulation of -0.9° (-11.1° to +17.7°). Analysis of these figures indicated positive instability thresholds in 5 patients (31.3 %). Analysis of center of rotation (COR)-shifts was only accomplishable completely in 3/16 patients due to limited motion or inadequacy of radiographs. Two of these patients (12.5 %) showed a suspect shift of the COR., Conclusions: Our data show a high rate of false negative results in cases of hidden discoligamentous injuries by using conventional radiographic analysis as well as QMA in plain lateral radiographs in a trauma setting. Despite the technical possibilities in a modern trauma center, our data and recent literature indicate a thorough clinical and radiographic follow-up of patients with cervical symptoms to avoid secondary complications from missed cervical spine injuries.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of kinetic magnetic resonance images., Objective: To define the prevalence of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis in symptomatic patients and to analyze the motion characteristics and influence on the spinal canal at the affected level., Summary of Background Data: When compared with lumbar spondylolisthesis, there are few studies evaluating cervical spondylolisthesis, and the prevalence and motion characteristics of cervical spondylolisthesis are not well defined., Methods: Four hundred sixty-eight symptomatic patients underwent upright cervical kinetic magnetic resonance images in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. Segmental displacement and intervertebral angles were measured in 3 positions using computer analysis software. Spondylolisthesis was defined as the vertebral displacement more than 2 mm, and graded based on the magnitude into 2 groups at each level: grade 1 (2-3 mm), grade 2 (>3 mm). Instability was defined as segmental translational motion exceeding 3 mm., Results: Grade 1 and 2 spondylolisthesis at a minimum of 1 level were observed with a prevalence of 16.4% and 3.4% of all patients, respectively. The most affected levels were C4-C5 (6.2%) and C5-C6 (6.0%) followed by C3-C4 (3.6%) and C6-C7 (3.0%). Translational motion was greater in levels with grade 1 as compared with segments without spondylolisthesis, but there was no difference in angular motion between the 3 groups. Translational instability was observed with a prevalence of 16.7% in grade 2, 4.3% in grade 1, and 3.4% in segments without spondylolisthesis. Space available for the cord at the affected level was decreased and spinal cord compression grade was higher in grade 1 and grade 2 as compared with levels without spondylolisthesis., Conclusion: Cervical spondylolisthesis of at least 2 mm was observed in 20% of patients and was most common at C4-C5 and C5-C6. The presence of spondylolisthesis was associated with increased translational motion and decreased segmental spinal canal diameter., Level of Evidence: N/A.

Study Design: Clinical case report and review of the literature., Objective: To report a very rare case of bipedicular fracture of C2, C3 along with traumatic spondylolisthesis of the C2, C3 vertebral bodies together over C4 without any neurological deficits., Summary of Background Data: Cervical spine injury is a potentially fatal and debilitating incident because of the risk of damage of the cervical spinal cord. Hangman's fracture comprises 4% to 7% of all traumatic cervical spine fractures. Attempting closed reduction in a neurologically intact patient may cause the development of new deficits during time of traction, especially in the case of compromised neural canal. The management should be aimed at providing a stable well-aligned spine without causing any new neurological deficits., Methods: A 35-year-old female had a motor vehicle accident and her forehead collided against the ground, causing hyperextension-compression type injury of the cervical spine that resulted in complaints of neck pain on movement. Cervical spine plain radiographs revealed spondylolisthesis of C2, C3 vertebral bodies together over C4 with bipedicular fracture of C2, C3. A computed tomographic scan confirmed these fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging further demonstrated spondylolisthesis without any spinal cord compression or signal abnormality. An anterior C2, C3 and C3-C4 cervical fusion was performed with iliac crest tricortical strut grafting and anterior cervical plating. The patient was turned to a prone position on the striker bed and posterior fixation was performed with lateral mass screws of C1 and C5., Results: Reduction of the spondylolisthesis was achieved with gradual cervical traction in an awake intubation followed by 360º of fusion with both anterior and posterior fixation., Conclusion: Bipedicular fracture of C2, C3 along with traumatic spondylolisthesis of the C2, C3 vertebral bodies together over C4 without any neurological deficits is very rare injury and needs methodical 360º fixation.

Study Design: Retrospective study., Objective: To determine whether cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis is unstable and/or progresses., Summary of Background Data: Cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis is relatively common in the elderly. However, there are no reports regarding its natural history., Methods: We identified 27 patients with cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis (3.9%) from a database of 697 patients, using cervical radiographs. All had neutral and dynamic lateral radiographs at baseline and at a minimum of 24 months later (mean 39 mo, range, 24-92 mo). The mean age of the patients at the initial visit was 59.0 years (range, 50-83 yr). Male to female ratio was 16:11. Radiographical findings and clinical symptoms related to spondylolisthesis were assessed at initial and final follow-up., Results: Eleven patients had cervical spondylolisthesis at C4-C5, 9 at C3-C4, 6 at C5-C6, and 1 at C2-C3. Initially, 6 had anterolisthesis and 21 had retrolisthesis. At baseline, 3 of 6 patients with anterolisthesis and 7 of 21 patients with retrolisthesis had translation of more than 2 mm on dynamic views. At baseline, 11 had no cervical symptoms, 8 had cervicalgia, 7 had radiculopathy, and 1 had myelopathy. At the final visit, none of the anterolistheses or retrolistheses had progressed. At the final visit, 7 of 10 patients with initial translation of more than 2 mm on dynamic views had no change. Of 17 patients with less than 2 mm of initial dynamic motion, 3 patients progressed to have more than 2 mm of dynamic translation. All 3 of these had retrolisthesis initially. None had clinical worsening of symptoms at the final visit., Conclusion: The natural history of cervical degenerative anterolisthesis and retrolisthesis seems to be stable during 2 years to nearly 8 years. Although those with retrolisthesis seem to have a higher propensity to increase their subluxation, none experienced dislocation or neurological injury., Level of Evidence: 4.

Foreign body sensation of the pharynx is a common complaint in otolaryngologic practice. The definite cause of this symptom is seldom precisely diagnosed, leading to chronic pharyngitis. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between lump in throat and cervical degenerative disease by their clinical symptoms and the associated image characteristics. All patients with or without the complaint of lump in throat who attended the otolaryngologic clinics of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center from January 2009 to May 2010 were prospectively eligible for this study. A total of 225 patients who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to either the study group (150 patients with symptoms of lump in the throat) or the control group (75 individuals without symptoms). All patients received plain views of the cervical lateral neck. The study group underwent further diagnostic examinations, including esophagography to exclude other diseases. Symptom scores (range, 0-3) and imaging characteristics such as the number (total spurs) and location (C level) of cervical osteophytes, interspace narrowing, spondylolisthesis, and retrolisthesis were compared between the two groups. It was found that the study group had a significantly greater number of total spurs (P < 0.001), and C45, C56, and C67 were the predominant sites, with significant odds ratios of more than 2 at all these levels. Only C67 revealed a difference in interspace narrowing, and only C45 showed a difference in spondylolisthesis between groups. Hence, a high correlation was found between the lump-in-throat sensation and total number of spurs, especially at the levels of C45, C56, and C67. This result implied that cervical osteophytes might be associated with foreign body sensations of the pharynx.

Purpose: Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis has received insufficient attention, in contrast to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. In fact, degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis may be more common than previously thought., Methods: In order to provide appropriate guidelines for the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis, a systematic review of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis was performed. An English literature search from January 1947 to November 2010 was completed with reference to radiological examination and management of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis., Results: Of 102 patients with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis, 52 patients (51%) had neck or occipital pain, 23 patients (22.5%) were referred with radiculopathy and 65 patients (63.7%) presented with myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy. Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis was most common in C3/4 and C4/5, occurring in 81 patients at C3/4 (46%) and 87 at C4/5 (49.4%). Disc degeneration and facet hypertrophy were the main causes of this clinical entity. Of 123 patients, 57 (46.3%) were found to have segmental instability as shown by flexion-extension lateral radiographs. There are two classification systems for degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis. Surgery was indicated in patients who had radiologically proven cervical spondylolisthesis with instability and/or spinal cord compression., Conclusion: Prospective studies should be designed in the future to draw a more reliable conclusion about the management of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data., Summary of Background Data: Vertebral artery injuries (VAI) occur commonly after cervical spine trauma. No study has yet examined the association between VAI and specific variants of C2 fractures., Objective: To evaluate the incidence of VAI (as defined by magnetic resonance imaging/angiography [MRI/A]) in subtypes of C2 fractures. To define the association between the incidence, morphology, and severity of C2 fractures, based on fracture angulation and comminution, and the occurrence of VAI., Methods: Patients admitted to the hospital with C2 fractures between October 2006 and December 2008 to a tertiary care referral center were identified through a prospectively maintained database. Computed tomography (CT) and MRI/A studies were individually reviewed to evaluate the specific C2 fracture type and the occurrence of VAI. Fracture displacement and angulation were measured. Incidence of VAI was compared between different types and subtypes of C2 fractures. The effects of displacement and angulation of the fracture, morphology of foramen transversarium fracture, patient age, and patient gender on VAI were also analyzed., Results: One hundred one patients were identified with C2 fractures that met inclusion criteria, and 18 (17.8%) had VAI by MRI/A. There was no correlation between fracture types and VAI. However, in subtype analysis, there was a correlation of VAI with traumatic spondylolisthesis of axis (TSA) and greater degree of angulation (P = 0.0023), communition fracture (P = 0.0341), and presence of bone fragment(s) within the foramen transversarium (P = 0.0075). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that age, gender and the presence of fragments within foramen transversarium were associated with greater risk of VAI., Conclusion: Vertebral artery injuries are more likely to occur in C2 fractures with comminuted fractures involving the foramen transversarium, with fractures manifesting bony fragment(s) within the foramen transversarium, or with fractures having greater angulation. These risk factors should be considered when a patient presents with isolated axis fracture.

The objective of the study was to investigate the comorbidity of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS), in elderly cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients in our hospital, and the correlation between surgical results and preoperative DS. There are few studies on the outcome of laminoplasty for CSM with DS. A total of 49 elderly patients (>65 years old) who eventually had surgical treatment for CSM were evaluated. A slippage displacement of more than 2.5 mm at least at one level was classified to have a positive DS on flexion/extension radiographs (DS group). A slippage displacement less than 1.0 mm was considered a negative DS (non-DS group). Seventeen patients who had slippage of 1.0-2.5 mm were excluded from the study. The DS group (n = 15) included cases with DS at preoperation, while the remaining cases (n = 17) belonged to the non-DS group. The flexion/extension radiographs of the two groups were compared for range of motion and clinical results at 3 years after the operation. Of all elderly patients, 30.6% had DS. There was no significant difference between the two groups based on the clinical results. The range of motion of all cervical spines (DS group and non-DS group) was significantly limited. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. New postoperative DS appeared in four patients, of which two were from the DS group and two from the non-DS group. These data suggest that degenerative spondylolisthesis does not influence surgical results in elderly cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients.

Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis has almost always been associated with disabling neurological deficit and we could only find one case without a neurological deficit reported in the literature. A 42 year old man suffering from severe neck pain following a high speed motor vehicle accident was admitted to our hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spine and neurologic examination of the patient were performed. The patient was treated with three-column fixation of the traumatic level. We aimed to report a unique case of traumatic C7-T1 total spondyloptosis without a neurological deficit and discuss possible mechanisms and treatment modalities.

Study Design: Case report., Objective: To review the management of a neurologically intact patient with complete cervical spondyloptosis with particular attention to the role and timing of closed preoperative cervical traction and subsequent stabilization., Summary of Background Data: Traumatic cervical spondyloptosis is typically associated with complete and irreversible spinal cord injury. In these patients, cervical traction can be implemented to restore anatomic alignment in preparation for stabilization with minimal consequence. When a patient presents neurologically intact, the management becomes more complicated. Preservation of function and restoration of anatomic alignment collectively represent the goals of therapy. The current literature does not clearly define the role of cervical traction in such cases., Methods: A patient with traumatic cervical spondyloptosis at the C7-T1 level presented to our institution and was found to be neurologically intact. Computed tomography demonstrated complete spondyloptosis with multiple fractures through the posterior elements., Results: The spondyloptosis was reduced with closed cervical traction and underwent anterior and posterior instrumented stabilization. No new deficit occurred in the patient after reduction., Conclusion: Fractures of the posterior elements functionally decompress the spinal canal and thereby allow for cervical traction to be safely implemented in patients with spondyloptosis. Safe restoration of anatomic alignment in the neurologically intact spondyloptotic patient is crucial to minimize the extent of surgical stabilization and create a long-term stable construct of the fracture dislocation.

Background Context: Degenerative spondylolisthesis has been well described as a disorder of the lumbar spine. Few authors have suggested that a similar disorder occurs in the cervical spine. To our knowledge, the present study represents the largest series of patients with long-term follow-up who were managed surgically for the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine., Purpose: To describe the clinical presentation and radiographic findings associated with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis, and to report the long-term results of surgically managed patients., Study Design: Analysis of 58 patients treated with anterior cervical decompression and fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine., Patient Sample: From 1974 to 2003, 58 patients were identified as having degenerative spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine occurring in the absence of trauma, systemic inflammatory arthropathy, or congenital abnormality. These patients were identified from a database of approximately 500 patients with degenerative cervical spine disorders treated by the senior one of us., Outcome Measures: Patient outcomes were evaluated with regard to neurologic improvement (Nurick grade myelopathy) and osseous fusion., Methods: The records of 58 patients were reviewed. The average follow-up period was 6.9 years (range, 2-24 years). Seventy-two cervical levels demonstrated spondylolisthesis. In all cases, there was radiographic evidence of facet degeneration and subluxation. All patients were treated with anterior cervical decompression and arthrodesis with iliac crest structural graft. This most commonly involved corpectomy of the caudal vertebrae. Three patients required additional posterior facet fusion., Results: Fifty-eight patients demonstrated 72 levels of involvement. The C4-C5 level was most frequently involved (43%). Two radiographically distinct types of listhesis were observed based on the amount of disc degeneration and the degree of spondylosis at adjacent levels. The average neurologic improvement was 1.5 Nurick grades. The overall fusion rate was 92%. Three patients were treated with combined anterior-posterior arthrodesis. The prevalence of myelopathy and instability pattern was greater in the listheses occurring adjacent to spondylotic levels., Conclusions: Degenerative spondylolisthesis is relatively common in the cervical spine. Common to all cases is facet arthropathy and neurologic compression. Anterior cervical decompression and arthrodesis appears to yield excellent union rates and neurological improvement in those patients having cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis and significant neurological sequelae who have failed nonoperative treatments.

Objective: This study examined the clinical and radiologic results of cervical spine injuries associated with a unilateral lateral mass-facet fracture (ULMFF) in an attempt to clarify the fracture pattern and treatment strategies using single-level anterior fusion., Methods: From July 2003 to June 2006, adult patients, who had sustained ULMFFs of the middle cervical spine, were reviewed retrospectively. The fractures were classified into six subtypes using roentgenogram and computed tomography imaging with three-dimensional analysis. Initially, 15 patients without severe translation and kyphosis were treated with external immobilization and 24 patients were treated surgically with anterior fusion. The fusion state and spinal alignment were evaluated at the follow-up visits., Results: Thirty-nine patients had 27 lateral mass fractures and 14 facet joint fractures. The lateral mass fractures were divided into the following four subtypes: unilateral spondylolithesis in 16, separation fracture in 5, comminution type in 4, and split type in 2. Facet fractures with/without facet dislocation were observed in seven patients. Twelve patients who received conservative management required delayed fusion due to persistent pain and late instability. Overall, 36 patients, with the exception of three cases with a successful result by external immobilization, underwent surgery using single-level anterior fixation with anterior plating. A poor radiologic outcome was observed in eight patients after the procedure. Five cases showed incomplete reduction or a failure of the reduction. Three cases had adjacent instability and malalignment despite the early fusion observed due to short-segment fusion in the separation type., Conclusion: This retrospective review of ULMFF showed that nonsurgical treatment is usually unsuccessful, and early single-level anterior arthrodesis has a favorable outcome. However, exclusive two-level stabilization or pedicle screw fixation needs to be considered in the separation type.

Cervical spondylolysis is an uncommon entity. It is important to recognise its characteristic radiological features and differentiate it from acute cervical fractures or dislocations in patients with neck injuries. We report the relevant clinical and radiological findings seen in a young Chinese woman managed in our hospital after a neck injury who was ultimately diagnosed with bilateral cervical spondylolysis with spondylolisthesis at C6.

Background: Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion with instrumentation is a common procedure for the surgical treatment of cervical spinal cord and/or nerve root decompression or for deformity correction. However, various postoperative complications have been associated with such a surgical intervention. Postoperative spondylolisthesis after an anterior cervical corpectomy with instrumentation is a serious complication that has rarely been addressed in the literature, and may potentially be underreported., Case Description: A 44-year-old woman with degenerative disk disease, loss of cervical lordosis, congenital cervical stenosis at C5-C6, and a left-sided herniated disk at C6-C7 underwent an anterior cervical corpectomy of C6 with fusion and anterior plate stabilization of C5-C7. Early postoperative evaluation noted complete resolution of the patient's symptoms. At 6 months after surgery, the patient complained of neck pain and intermittent headaches. Radiographic evaluation noted fusion of the corpectomy strut graft with retrolisthesis of C5 on C6 and early myelomalacia at C5-C6. A cervical laminectomy with posterior instrumentation from C5 to C7 was performed and the patient's symptoms resolved., Conclusions: Postoperatively, a high index of suspicion should be present for the development of spondylolisthesis in patients undergoing an anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion procedure with or without instrumentation, particularly in individuals with persistent or new symptoms even after a "successful" operative procedure. The spine surgeon should address appropriate operative techniques and postoperative management to decrease the risk of spondylolisthesis after such a procedure.

Background Context: Flexion-extension X-rays are commonly used to identify abnormalities in intervertebral motion, despite little evidence for the reliability of the information that clinicians derive from these test., Purpose: Quantify observer agreement on intervertebral motion abnormalities assessed with and without the use of computer-assisted technology., Study Design: Assess interobserver agreement among clinicians when they evaluate cervical flexion-extension X-rays using the methods they now use in clinical practice, and compare this to observer agreement when the same clinicians reassess the X-rays using computer-assisted technology., Methods: Seventy-five flexion-extension X-rays of the cervical spine, obtained from several clinical practices, were assessed by seven practicing physicians who routinely assess these X-rays. Observers assessed the studies using the methods they routinely use, and then reassessed the studies, at least a month later, using validated computer-assisted methods. Agreement among clinicians with and without computer-assisted technology was assessed using kappa statistics., Results: Agreement was poor (kappa=0.17) with methods routinely used in clinical practice. Computer-assisted analysis improved interobserver agreement (kappa=0.77). With computer-assisted methods, disagreements involved cases with severe degeneration or static misalignment where motion was within normal limits, or in fusion cases where there was between 1 and 1.5 degrees of motion at the fusion site., Conclusions: This study suggests that commonly used methods to assess flexion-extension X-rays of the cervical spine may not provide reliable clinical information about intervertebral motion abnormalities, and that validated, computer-assisted methods can dramatically improve agreement among clinicians. The lack of definitions of instability and fusion acceptable to all the clinicians was likely a primary source of disagreement with both manual and computer-assisted assessments.

Objective: Stabilization of the cervicothoracic junction is challenging but commonly required in patients with traumatic, neoplastic, congenital, and postlaminectomy conditions. Although extensive research has been performed on stabilization of the cervical spine, there remains a paucity of published data on instrumentation at the cervicothoracic junction. Using 2-column, 3-column, and corpectomy instability models, a biomechanical analysis was performed on the effects of increasing the number of posterior segmental fixation points and/or anterior column reconstruction at the cervicothoracic junction., Methods: Multidirectional flexibility testing was performed utilizing a 6-degree-of-freedom spine simulator and 7 fresh-frozen human cadaveric spines (occiput-T6). After intact spine analysis, each specimen was destabilized and reconstructed as follows: (1) C7/T1 2-column injury with posterior instrumentation; (2) C7/T1 3-column injury with posterior instrumentation; (3) C7/T1 3-column injury with anterior interbody cage/plate and posterior instrumentation; and (4) C7/T1 3-column injury plus C7 corpectomy with anterior cage/plate and posterior instrumentation. All reconstruction groups were tested with posterior instrumentation (screws connected by dual-diameter rods) from C5-T1, C5-T2, and C5-T3., Results: For 2-column injuries, there were no statistically significant differences in flexibility (P>0.05), although there was a trend toward reduced flexibility with increasing levels of thoracic fixation. For 3-column injuries, posterior fixation alone resulted in excessive flexibility in flexion/extension even with instrumentation to T3 (P<0.05). With the addition of anterior column instrumentation, there were no observed differences in flexion/extension and lateral bending. For axial rotation, instrumentation to T1 alone demonstrated increased motion relative to the intact spine (P<0.05). The 3-column injury with corpectomy model demonstrated similar flexibility properties to the 3-column injury model., Conclusions: With 3-column instability posterior segmental fixation alone from C5-T3 was inadequate, and the addition of anterior instrumentation restored flexibility to the intact condition. There was a strong trend toward reduced flexibility with increasing levels of thoracic fixation in all instability models.

Study Design: Case report., Objective: To show a rare case of cervical spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis secondary to bilateral stress fractures at the pedicle laminar junction of C6 in a 16-year-old athlete playing high school baseball., Summary of Background Data: The patient presented with 3 months of neck pain and intermittent right arm radicular symptoms., Methods: Plain radiographs and multidetector computerized tomography (CT) of the cervical spines., Results: Plain radiographs revealed loss of lower cervical lordosis. Multidetector CT indicated bilateral C6 spondylolysis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral marrow edema at the pedicle laminar junction of C6. Treatment included placing his neck in a Philadelphia collar for 6 weeks. Follow-up CT revealed progression of healing., Conclusion: Early diagnosis and appropriate management of these cases are important to promote healing.

C2-C3 pseudosubluxation is a well recognized normal anatomical variant in children and this physiological spondylolisthesis often makes the interpretation of paediatric cervical spine radiographs difficult. In direct contrast, this finding is rare in adults and has not been reported as a diagnostic difficulty following neck injury. We report a case of C2-C3 pseudosubluxation occurring in a 27 year old woman presenting with neck pain 1 week after a road traffic accident. Although there are effective radiological guidelines for cervical spine radiograph evaluation in children, there is no evidence that these can be applied to the adult cervical spine. Flexion and extension cervical spine views have limitations. In such cases, magnetic resonance imaging is required to definitively exclude pathological injury.