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The aim of this procedure is to widen the spinal canal by using minimally invasive techniques to do hemipartial laminectomy and bilateral flavectomy in patients with cervical spinal stenosis due to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. A 66-year-old man presented with increasing neck and right shoulder pain for one year to Koç University Hospital. He reported a three-month history of numbness in his hands. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were 15 and 8, respectively. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed spinal canal stenosis at the C3-4 level secondary to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Hemi-partial laminectomy at the C3 level, flavectomy, and bilateral decompression were performed using the right unilateral approach. The patient's complaints of symptoms considerably decreased three months later. The VAS and JOA scores were 2 and 16, respectively. This minimally invasive approach can be an alternative to classic laminectomy in patients who have radiculopathy and myelopathy due to posterior origin spinal stenosis in order to safely resolve pain and neurologic dysfunction.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to see if there was any referred medial scapula pain from C6 or C7 cervical spinal stenosis. Scapula pain of neurologic origin is currently thought to be primarily mediated by C5 via the dorsal scapular nerve. Dorsal root ganglion neurons with dichotomising axons are present in several species and are considered to play a role in referred pain. An interventional spine clinic observed a number of patients with medial scapula pain who did not have C5 stenosis, but many of these patients had C6 or C7 stenosis. Methods: The charts of 278 patients seen in an interventional spine clinic over an 11 year period from 2008 to 2018 who were diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy based on location of pain were reviewed. 135 of these had cervical MRI imaging. Data was collected to evaluate for a correlation of the level of cervical stenosis with the location of pain at the medial border of the scapula. Results: Patients with ipsilateral medial scapula pain had 0.0% incidence of stenosis at C4, 29.5% at C5, 64.6% at C6, 49.2% at C7, 0.0% at C8, and 80% with either C6 or C7 stenosis. Conclusion: This is the first report of referred pain to the medial scapula from cervical stenosis at the C6 or C7 levels. The mechanism of referred pain is reviewed and a plausible and testable neurologic explanation for these observed findings is presented.

Cervical spine degenerative pathologies remain one of the most common spinal conditions treated by spine surgeons worldwide. Surgery is recommended in all patients with symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis with either moderate to severe myelopathy, degeneration, or refractory radiculopathy. As the number of levels increases the potential for complications associated with anterior surgery can be significant, especially dysphagia and pseudarthrosis. The objective of this study was to analyze the fusion rate following three- or more level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). A retrospective review was performed analyzing patients who underwent three or more level ACDF. Fusion was evaluated using post-operative dynamic upright radiographs Relevant post-operative complications especially dysphagia requiring dietary modifications or placement of feeding tube was also noted. A total of 72 patients were included in the study. Of the 232 levels fused, pseudarthrosis occurred at 47 (14%) levels. Overall 45.8% of patients (33/72) had a pseudarthrosis. The incidence of pseudarthrosis was higher in patients with 4 level ACDF as compared to those with 3 level ACDF [56% (9/16) versus 42% (24/56)]. At last follow up, the number of patients that were symptomatic from their pseudarthrosis and required posterior spinal instrumentation was 8/72 (11.1%). Fusion rates in a large cohort of patients with three- and four-level ACDF performed utilizing allograft and segmental instrumentation is reported. The study demonstrates that 3-4 level, stand-alone anterior cervical arthrodeses result in at least one level of pseudarthrosis in almost half of patients, especially at the caudal level of the construct.

Study Design Surgeon survey. Purpose To study the various surgical practices of different surgeons in the Asia–Pacific region. Overview of Literature Given the diversity among Asia–Pacific surgeons, there is no clear consensus on the preferred management strategies for cervical myelopathy. In particular, the role of prophylactic decompression for silent cervical spinal stenosis is under constant debate and should be addressed. Methods Surgeons from the Asia–Pacific Spine Society participated in an online questionnaire comprising 50 questions. Data on clinical diagnosis, investigations and outcome measures, approach to asymptomatic and silent cervical spinal stenosis, guidelines for surgical approach, and postoperative immobilization were recorded. All parameters were analyzed by the Mantel–Haenszel test. Results A total of 79 surgeons from 16 countries participated. Most surgeons used gait disturbance (60.5%) and dyskinetic hand movement (46.1%) for diagnosis. Up to 5.2% of surgeons would operate on asymptomatic spinal stenosis, and 18.2% would operate on silent spinal stenosis. Among those who would not operate, most (57.1%) advised patients on avoidance behavior and up to 9.5% prescribed neck collars. For ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), anterior removal was most commonly performed for one-level disease (p

Some studies have suggested that early surgical treatment can effectively improve the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality, but no research has focused on the development of a prognostic model of cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality. This retrospective analysis included 43 patients with cervical spinal cord injury without radiological abnormality. Seven potential factors were assessed: age, sex, external force strength causing damage, duration of disease, degree of cervical spinal stenosis, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and physiological cervical curvature. A model was established using multiple binary logistic regression analysis. The model was evaluated by concordant profiling and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. The prognostic model was as follows: logit(P) = -25.4545 + 21.2576VALUE + 1.2160SCORE - 3.4224TIME, where VALUE refers to the Pavlov ratio indicating the extent of cervical spinal stenosis, SCORE refers to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (0-17) after the operation, and TIME refers to the disease duration (from injury to operation). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for all patients was 0.8941 (95% confidence interval, 0.7930-0.9952). Three factors assessed in the predictive model were associated with patient outcomes: a great extent of cervical stenosis, a poor preoperative neurological status, and a long disease duration. These three factors could worsen patient outcomes. Moreover, the disease prognosis was considered good when logit(P) ≥ -2.5105. Overall, the model displayed a certain clinical value. This study was approved by the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China (approval number: 2018063) on May 8, 2018.

Rotator cuff tear (RCT) and cervical spinal stenosis (CSS) are common pathologies in the elderly. Both conditions may present with lateral shoulder pain and weakness or numbness of the upper extremity, potentially affecting patients' ability to live independently. Few data are available on the incidence of CSS among patients with concurrent RCT. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of CSS among RCT patients, demographics, and surgical management using a national insurance database. The Medicare database was used to identify patients with RCT and concomitant CSS by ICD-9 codes from 2005-2014. Trends based on age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. Utilization of open and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR) was compared. A total of 86,501 patients were identified. The number of patients diagnosed with RCT and CSS significantly increased (p0.0001). The incidence of CSS in patients with RCT increased from 9% to 13% (p0.05). Females64 years were more likely to exhibit combined pathology than age-matched males (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.18) or females65 years (OR 1.64, 96% CI 1.61 to 1.67). A BMI of 30-40 kg/m2 demonstrated the highest incidence (43%, p0.0001). Arthroscopic RCR increased by 2% (p = 0.03) in RCT-CSS. The incidence of CSS in RCT patient is increasing. Orthopedic surgeons should maintain high clinical suspicion for concurrent CSS pathology in patients with RCT, particularly in obese female patients65 years with several medical comorbidities. Further investigation into the influence of these concurrent pathologies on patient outcomes is warranted.

We report a 58-year-old male with sequelae of polio who presented with low back and left buttock pain, and pitting oedema of both legs for four months. The patient had a history of poliomyelitis at the age of 1 year which resulted in bilateral lower leg weakness, particularly on the left side. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cervical spinal stenosis secondary to posterior osteophyte formation, left paracentral disc extrusion at L2/L3 and L3/L4 levels with compression of the traversing L4 nerve root. The findings confirmed a diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy caused by a herniated disc. The patient subsequently underwent a chiropractic treatment. The painful symptoms and pitting oedema in this case resolved with spinal adjustment in addition to scraping therapy to strengthen bilateral low back and the gluteal muscles. This case provides circumstantial evidence of a scarcely mentioned association between pitting oedema and lumbar radiculopathy caused by disc herniation. The pathophysiological mechanism is elusive, but might involve a complexity of cytokine-mediated inflammation and interconnection between somatic and autonomic nervous systems.

BACKGROUND Chronic pain syndromes caused by degenerative and postinfectious changes in the cervical spine continue to pose significant management challenges to neurosurgeons and pain practitioners. The identification of an individualized treatment plan, astute surgical technique, comprehensive and multimodal analgesia, and adequate rehabilitation processes do not necessarily result in diminished pain. CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a patient with chronic pain treated surgically for degenerative cervical myelopathy secondary to cervical spinal stenosis. Following this surgery, the patient experienced an intractable postoperative pain syndrome that had anatomical borders, and an intensity and character that were different from the background chronic pain from which he suffered. We successfully implanted a cervical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) lead in the period following his stenosis surgery, which had good therapeutic effect on the postoperative-onset pain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of SCS having a strong positive effect on an acute exacerbation of neuropathic pain. At follow-up 12 months later, assessment of the patient's pain diary revealed a modal pain intensity of 3/10 on the numeric rating scale over the preceding 3 months. The Brief Pain Inventory (Short Form) scores at this time were 10/40 in the pain severity domain and 18/70 in the interference with function domain, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of this SCS strategy. CONCLUSION While SCS has hitherto been untested as a therapy for acute-onset pain, this report demonstrates its utility as a salvage treatment in select cases of uncontrollable postoperative pain.

Objective We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for asymptomatic spondylotic cervical spinal stenosis (ASCSS) in the setting of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods A total of 114 patients with a diagnosis of LSS without cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy were grouped into ASCSS and non-ASCSS groups. The medical data and radiological parameters, including age, sex, body mass index, Charlson comorbidity index, symptom duration, redundant nerve roots, dural sac cross-sectional area (DCSA), facet joint angle, lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), pelvic incidence (PI), Torg-Pavlov ratio, and lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, were analyzed. The lumbar stenosis index and cervical stenosis index of the 114 patients were also analyzed. Results ASCSS occurred in 70 of the 114 patients with LSS (61.4%). The two groups showed significant differences in symptom duration, redundant nerve roots, LLA, DCSA, and PI. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, an LLA >35.85° (P Conclusions Our findings suggest that an LLA >35.85° and a DCSA

Objective Cervical expansive laminoplasty is an effective surgical method to address multilevel cervical spinal stenosis. During surgery, the spinous processes of C2 and C7 are usually preserved to keep the insertion points of the cervical musculature and nuchal ligament intact. In this regard, dome-like laminectomy (undercutting of C7 lamina) instead of laminoplasty is performed on C7 in selected cases. However, resection of the lamina can weaken the C7 lamina, and stress fractures may occur, but this complication has not been characterized in the literature. The objective of the present study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for C7 laminar fracture after C7 dome-like laminectomy and its impact on clinical and radiological outcomes. Methods Patients who underwent cervical open-door laminoplasty combined with C7 dome-like laminectomy (n=123) were classified according to the presence of C7 laminar fracture. Clinical parameters (neck/arm pain score and neck disability index) and radiologic parameters (C2-7 angle, C2-7 sagittal vertical axis, and C7-T1 angle) were compared between the groups preoperatively and at postoperatively at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Risk factors for complications were evaluated, and a formula estimating C7 fracture risk was suggested. Results C7 lamina fracture occurred in 32/123 (26%) patients and occurred at the bilateral isthmus in 29 patients and at the spinolaminar junction in three patients. All fractures appeared on X-ray within 3 months postoperatively, but patients did not present any neurological deterioration. The fracture spontaneously healed in 27/32 (84%) patients at 1 year and in 29/32 (91%) at 2 years. During follow-up, clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the groups. However, patients with C7 fractures showed a more lordotic C2-7 angle and kyphotic C7-T1 angle than patients without C7 fractures. C7 fracture was significantly associated with the extent of bone removal. By incorporating significant factors, the probability of C7 laminar fracture could be assessed with the formula 'Risk score = 1.08 × depth (%) + 1.03 × length (%, of the posterior height of C7 vertebral body)', and a cut-off value of 167.9% demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 65.1% (area under the curve, 0.81). Conclusion C7 laminar fracture can occur after C7 dome-like laminectomy when a substantial amount of lamina is resected. Although C7 fractures may not cause deleterious clinical outcomes, they can lead to an unharmonized cervical curvature. The chance of C7 fracture should be discussed in the shared decision-making process.

Objective Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) is employed in patients with localized cervical spinal stenosis (CSS). However, there are some disadvantages such as subsidence of the titanium mesh cage, slow fusion rates, breakage of the plate and screws, and donor-site complications. For patients with small posterior osteophytes, ossified or hypertrophy of the posterior longitudinal ligaments or ligamentum flavum, the range of decompression from the classic anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) cannot meet the clinical requirements. However, employing ACCF is controversial. Therefore, it is necessary to seek a novel, safe and effective surgery that can combine the strengths of ACDF and ACCF. Our objective was to describe a novel anterior approach cervical surgery and investigate its clinical outcomes on segmental CSS at the C4-C6 levels 6 months postoperatively. Methods A novel anterior cervical X-shape-corpectomy and fusion (ACXF) was performed to correct the CSS. Results The patient's neurologic function and myodynamia of the extremities were improved significantly 3 and 6 months after surgery with good bony fusion. Neck pain also was relieved. Immediately postoperative and after 6-month images indicated no significant spinal stenosis. The patient's cervical curvature was improved after surgery without significant implant subsidence or loss of adjacent intervertebral height. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusions ACXF may be a safe and effective procedure for segmental CSS and an alternative for ACCF, as it has a wide operative field of view, sufficient decompression range, excellent transverse vertebral bony fusion, less internal fixation-related complications, and graft subsidence and no donor-site complications.

Background The incidence of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal canal stenosis is low. It is difficult to identify the main focus and responsible segment, and it is also difficult to select the sequence of staging surgery. We report a patient with triple stenosis. Case presentation In this paper, we introduced a 61-year-old female patient with cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal canal stenosis who had previously undergone "lumbar discectomy" in the outer hospital. The postoperative effect was not good and the symptoms were poor. The diagnosis was "cervical spinal stenosis and lumbar spine surgery." The staged spinal canal decompression operation and Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD) treatment were conducted in our hospital. After 3 months of follow-up, the functional and imaging results were satisfactory. Conclusion We should pay enough attention to the patients with spinal degenerative diseases who need surgery, and must pursue the unity of medical history, signs and images. In case of difficult patients, more comprehensive examination is required, and the main focus and responsible segment are determined through comprehensive analysis. The more important diseases that may exist cannot be covered up by focal lesion manifestations, so as to avoid unnecessary surgical trauma for patients. In addition, surgery combined with Chinese herbal medicine DHJSD therapy may be an effective treatment for this kind of disease.

Objective. To investigate the clinical effects of posterior laminectomy and decompression plus lateral mass screw-rod internal fixation for the treatment of multisegment cervical spinal canal stenosis and the improvement of cervical curvature and range of motion in patients. Methods. A total of 68 patients with multisegment cervical spinal stenosis who were treated in our hospital from January 2019 to June 2020 were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group according to the random number table, with 34 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with traditional posterior cervical open-door laminoplasty with silk suture fixation, while those in the observation group were treated with posterior cervical laminectomy and decompression plus lateral mass screw-rod internal fixation. The perioperative index of patients in the two groups was recorded, and the clinical efficacy of patients was evaluated. The patient’s JOA score, cervical physiological curvature, and cervical range of motion were evaluated. The occurrence of complications was recorded during follow-up. Results. The amount of intraoperative bleeding and postoperative rehabilitation training time in the observation group was less than that in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P > 0.05 ). The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The JOA scores at 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months after operation in the observation group were higher than those in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The physiological curvature of cervical spine in the observation group at 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months after operation was higher than that in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The cervical range of motion at 12 months after operation in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The incidence of postoperative complications in patients of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Posterior laminectomy and decompression plus lateral mass screw-rod internal fixation can help patients to improve various clinical symptoms caused by nerve compression and obtain better improvement of cervical curvature and range of motion. It is an ideal surgical method for the treatment of multisegment cervical spinal canal stenosis, and it is conducive to improving the clinical efficacy of patients.

Background In the setting of congenital C1 occipitalization and C2–3 fusion, significant strain is placed on the atlantoaxial joint. Vertebral fusion both above and below the atlantoaxial joint (i.e., a “sandwich”) creates substantial instability. We retrospectively report on a case series of “sandwich fusion” atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), describing the associated clinical characteristics and detailing surgical treatment. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the largest investigation to date of this congenital subgroup of AAD. Methods Seventy consecutive patients with sandwich fusion AAD, from one senior surgeon, were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical features and the surgical treatment results were assessed using descriptive statistics. No funding sources or potential conflict of interest-associated biases exist. Results The mean patient age was 42.2 years (range: 5–77 years); 36 patients were male, and 34 were female. Fifty-eight patients (82.9%) had myelopathy, with Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores ranging 4–16 (mean: 12.9). Cranial neuropathy was involved in 10 cases (14.3%). The most common presentation age group was 31 to 40 years (24 cases, 34.3%). Radiological findings revealed brainstem and/or cervical-medullar compression (58 cases, 82.9%), syringomyelia (16 cases, 22.9%), Chiari malformation (12 cases, 17.1%), cervical spinal stenosis (10 cases, 14.3%), high scapula deformity (1 case, 1.4%), os odontoideum (1 case, 1.4%), and dysplasia of the atlas (1 case, 1.4%). Computed tomography angiography was performed in 27 cases, and vertebral artery (VA) anomalies were identified in 14 cases (51.9%). All 70 patients underwent surgical treatment, without spinal cord or VA injury. Four patients (5.7%) suffered complications, including 1 wound infection, 1 screw loosening, and 2 cases of bulbar paralysis. In the 58 patients with myelopathy, the mean JOA score increased from 12.9 to 14.5. The average follow-up time was 50.5 months (range: 24–120 months). All 70 cases achieved solid atlantoaxial fusion at the final follow-up. Conclusions Sandwich fusion AAD, a unique subgroup of AAD, has distinctive clinical features and associated malformations such as cervical-medullar compression, syringomyelia, and VA anomalies. Surgical treatment of AAD was associated with myelopathy improvement and minimal complication occurrence.

Intervertebral disc calcification is rare in the pediatric population and is associated with sudden neurological manifestations. Although commonly symptomatic, conservative management yields excellent prognosis in the vast majority of cases. The following case illustrates the finding of intervertebral disc calcification in a patient with vertebral body segmentation anomaly consistent with Klippel-Feil Syndrome. As both entities are associated with potential neurological sequelae, this case of coexistent pathologies highlights the importance of recognizing the potential presence of intervertebral disc calcifications in pediatric Klippel-Feil Syndrome patients.

To examine the efficacy and feasibility of T2-weighted whole-spine sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening for all patients who undergo MRI of the lumbar spine for any indication. A review of 1145 consecutive T2-weighted whole-spine sagittal MRI screening sequences performed for lumbar spine imaging was undertaken for the purposes of documenting the incidence and clinical significance of thoracic and cervical spine incidental findings, as well as to establish correlation between these pathologies and those found in the lumbar spine. Out of the 1145 patients included in the study, 103 (9%) patients had incidental findings thought to be significant. These findings included cervical spinal stenosis (n = 85), thoracic disc herniation (n = 9), syrinx (n = 5), intradural tumor (n = 2), and signal changes within the spinal cord (n = 2). In follow-up exams, 35 patients had clinically significant findings which included cervical myelopathy (n = 25), thoracic myelopathy (n = 3), syrinx (n = 5) and intradural tumor (n = 2). Among the 172 patients presenting with lumbar spinal stenosis, 42 (24.4%) had such incidental findings, and of those 41 (23.8%) had cervical stenosis with spinal cord compression (p

Objective To evaluate the differences in surgical outcomes of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy with and without congenital cervical spinal stenosis (CCSS). Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained to conduct a retrospective chart review of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent decompression and fusion surgeries from 2010–2016 at a single institution. CCSS was identified using the Torg-Pavlov ratio on lateral cervical radiographs. Pre- and postoperative outcome measures were assessed using the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) and the EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D). Results Of 208 patients, Torg-Pavlov ratio identified 85 patients with CCSS. There were no significant differences between the CCSS patient and control patient groups in EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaire and mJOA scores at all 4 designated time points in the study (preoperative, earliest postoperative, 6 month postoperative, and 1 year postoperative). Although not statistically significantly, there was a notable trend for patients with CCSS to be less likely to have mJOA-defined severe myelopathy at the postoperative (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; P = 0.38), 6 month postoperative (OR, 0.66; P = 0.20), and 1 year postoperative (OR, 0.64; P = 0.14) time points. Conclusions Postoperatively, compared with non-CCSS patients, patients with congenital cervical stenosis reported equal quality of life for all markers. Our findings suggest that in patients with CCSS and relatively mild symptoms of myelopathy, equal consideration should be given for surgical intervention. The findings of this study warrant further large-scale, multi-institutional investigation to further understand the generalizability of these surgical outcome results.

Background For patients with spinal canal stenosis in the upper cervical spine who undergo C3–7 laminoplasty alone, it remains impossible to achieve full decompression due to its limited range. This study explores the extension of expansive open-door laminoplasty (EODL) to C1 and C2 for the treatment of cervical spinal stenosis of the upper cervical spine and its effects on cervical sagittal parameters. Methods A retrospective analysis of 33 patients presenting with symptoms of cervical spondylosis myelopathy (CSM) and ossification in the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the upper cervical spine from February 2013 to December 2015 was performed. Furthermore, the changes in the C0–2 Cobb angle, C1–2 Cobb angle, C2–7 Cobb angle, C2–7 SVA, and T1-Slope in lateral X-rays of the cervical spine were measured before, immediately after, and 1 year after the operation. JOA and NDI scores were used to evaluate spinal cord function. Results The C0–2 and C1–2 Cobb angles did not significantly increase (P = 0.190 and P = 0.081), but the C2–7 Cobb angle (P = 0.001), C2–7 SVA (P P P P = 0.004), and the C2–7 SVA was negatively correlated with the C2–7 Cobb angle (Pearson = − 0.295, P Conclusions The sagittal parameters of patients who underwent EODL extended to C1 and C2 included loss of cervical curvature, increased cervical anteversion and compensatory posterior extension of the upper cervical spine to maintain visual balance in the field of vision. However, the changes in cervical spine parameters were far less substantial than the alarm thresholds reported in previous studies. We believe that EODL extended to C1 and C2 for the treatment of patients with spinal canal stenosis in the upper cervical spine is a feasible and safe procedure with excellent outcomes.

AIM To describe the prevalence of symptomatic cervical spinal stenosis (CSS) in spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and associated characteristics. METHOD This cross-sectional study of adults (>18y) with CP (2006-2016) at a single institution compared the patient characteristics (demographics, comorbidities, surgical history, medications, Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level, and CP type) of patients with and without CSS. RESULTS Of 424 patients (mean age 33y 4mo, SD 13y 6mo, range 18-78y; 225 females, 199 males), 32 patients (7.5%) had symptomatic CSS. GMFCS levels in the study cohort were distributed as follows: level I, 25%; level II, 25%; level III, 22%; level IV, 19%; level V, 9%. Twenty-five out of 32 (78.1%) patients had spastic CP, two (6.3%) had dystonic CP, and one (3.1%) had mixed characteristics. Individuals with CSS were older (mean age 54y 6mo, SD 10y 5mo vs mean age 31y 7mo, SD 12y 1mo, p

STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective comparative study. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of early surgical treatment (

Дегенеративная шейная миелопатия (ДШМ) – самая частая причина дисфункции спинного мозга в развитых странах, распространенность которой растет в связи с тенденций к увеличению продолжительности жизни населения. Причиной ее развития могут стать различные дегенеративные изменения в шейном отделе позвоночника, которые затрагивают одну или несколько анатомических структур, включая позвонки, межпозвонковые диски и связки позвоночника. Неврологический дефицит, возникающий вследствие хронической компрессии спинного мозга при ДШМ, способен приводить к значительной инвалидизации. Необратимая утрата трудоспособности может быть предотвращена путем ранней диагностики и интервенции на начальных этапах развития заболевания. За последнее десятилетие достижения фундаментальной науки позволили более углубленно изучить патофизиологию ДШМ и использовать новые методы диагностики в клинической практике. Новейшие методы нейровизуализации и нейрофизиологические исследования открывают перспективы количественной оценки повреждения ткани спинного мозга и прогнозирования исхода лечения. На данный момент хирургическая декомпрессия рекомендуется при умеренном и тяжелом течении, однако лучшая тактика лечения при легкой миелопатии всё еще не определена. В данном обзоре представлены актуальные данные об определении, клинической картине, диагностике и лечении ДШМ. Особое внимание направлено на рассмотрение диагностических методов (как потенциальных, так и уже применяемых в клинике), не только способных выявить заболевание на его ранних стадиях, но и позволяющих предсказать исход хирургического вмешательства. Представлен диагностический алгоритм для выбора тактики лечения, открывающий новые возможности для более персонализированного подхода к терапии ДШМ., Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction in developed countries, and its prevalence is only growing due to population ageing. It can be caused by various degenerative changes in the cervical spine that affect one or more anatomical structures, including vertebrae, intervertebral discs and ligaments of the spine. Neurological deficit resulting from chronic spinal cord compression in DCM can lead to significant disability. Irreversible disability can be prevented by early diagnosis and intervention at the initial stages of the disease. Over the past decade, advances in basic science enabled a more thorough study of DCM pathophysiology and use of new diagnostic tools for clinical practice. Latest neuroimaging techniques and neurophysiological studies open up prospects for quantitative assessment of spinal cord tissue damage and prediction of treatment outcome. Surgical decompression is currently recommended for moderate to severe cases, but the best treatment strategy for mild myelopathy is still undefined. This review provides current data on the definition, clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of DCM. Particular attention is given to diagnostic methods (both prospective and currently used in clinical practice) that can not only identify early stages of the disease, but also allow to predict the outcome of surgical intervention. Diagnostic algorithm for treatment selection is established, which opens up new possibilities for a more personalized approach in the treatment of DCM

To explore the clinical effectiveness of various posterior decompression surgeries in the treatment of upper thoracic spinal stenosis combined with multilevel cervical spinal stenosis.From January 2010 to December 2015, 22 consecutive patients with combined upper thoracic spinal stenosis and multilevel cervical spinal stenosis were treated with two different approaches of posterior decompression surgeries. In group A with 10 patients, both cervical and thoracic spinal decompression surgeries were performed simultaneously (one-stage surgery); in group B with 8 patients, cervical and thoracic spinal decompression surgeries were performed separately within three months (two-stage surgery). Based on Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores, improvement rate and extent of neurological function were calculated and the difference was compared between the two groups.There was no significant difference in demographic data between the two groups. However, compared with those of group B, both short-term and long-term improvement rate of neurological function in group A was higher (P 0.05). In addition, the hospitalization cost was also lower in group A.Both one-stage and two-stage posterior decompression surgeries were effective in treating patient with upper thoracic spinal stenosis combined with multilevel cervical spinal stenosis; however, one-stage combined surgery was superior to two-stage surgery.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita is a rare, nonprogressive congenital disorder that describes a constellation of conditions characterized by multiple joint contractures. Spinal pathology and deformity are common; however, the majority of the literature on arthrogryposis is focused on pediatric management. There exist very few reports on long-term outcomes and management of adults with arthrogryposis. We present a case of cervical spinal stenosis in an adult female with arthrogryposis that underwent posterior cervical decompression and fusion. A review of spine-related sequelae seen in adults with arthrogryposis and considerations for spinal surgery for these patients is discussed.

Background Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a potentially disabling disorder. Little is known about the contributors to severe forms of the illness. We describe three consecutive patients with severe ME/CFS whose symptoms improved after recognition and surgical management of their cervical spinal stenosis. Methods All patients satisfied clinical criteria for ME/CFS and orthostatic intolerance, and were later found to have cervical spinal stenosis. Overall function was assessed before and after surgery using the Karnofsky score and the SF-36 physical function subscale score. Results Neurological findings included > 3+ deep tendon reflexes in 2 of 3, a positive Hoffman sign in 2 of 3, tremor in 2 of 3, and absent gag reflex in 1 of 3. The cervical spine canal diameter in the three patients ranged from 6 to 8.5 mm. One had congenital cervical stenosis with superimposed spondylosis, and two had single- or two-level spondylosis. Anterior cervical disc replacement surgery in two patients and a hybrid anterior cervical disc fusion and disc replacement in the third was associated with a marked improvement in myelopathic symptoms, resolution of lightheadedness and hemodynamic dysfunction, improvement in activity levels, and improvement in global ME/CFS symptoms. Conclusions The prompt post-surgical restoration of more normal function suggests that cervical spine stenosis contributed to the pathogenesis of refractory ME/CFS and orthostatic symptoms. The improvements following surgery emphasize the importance of a careful search for myelopathic examination findings in those with ME/CFS, especially when individuals with severe impairment are not responding to treatment.

Background Gait abnormalities have been seen in patients with Parkinson disease or Parkinson-like (P-L) disorders and cervical spinal stenosis. Acute presentation of P-L symptoms has been reported in 24 cases caused by chronic subdural hematomas with 11 cases due to bilateral chronic subdural hematomas. When a patient also presents with cervical spinal stenosis, the correct therapeutic decision between P-L disorders and myelopathy is challenging. Case Description An 80-year-old male presented with a 2-week history of weakness in his left leg. A few days before presentation, his gait had deteriorated quite dramatically. Neurologic examination showed mild leg weakness, hyperreflexia, and a gait that was slow and wide based, at times festinating but with relatively spared arm movement. He also had masked facial features with increased tone in his extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine showed cervical stenosis at C5-6, and computed tomography of the head showed large bilateral subdural hematomas. The subdural hematomas were drained. Immediate improvement in his symptoms was observed with complete resolution by his third month of follow-up. The patient never had a history of Parkinson disease. Conclusions This paper reports for the first time a patient who presented with acute P-L symptoms and cervical myelopathy with findings of both bilateral chronic subdural hematomas and cervical spinal stenosis. The decision to drain the subdural hematoma in our case resulted in full recovery of the patient's gait and other extrapyramidal symptoms. This paper reviews the literature on reversible P-L symptoms caused by bilateral chronic subdural hematomas.

Purpose To report an unusual case of ciliochoroidal effusion and presumed acute macular neuroretinopathy associated with cervical traction therapy for the treatment of cervical spinal stenosis. Methods Case report. Results A 75-year-old man reported sudden onset of a wedge-shaped paracentral scotoma in the right eye. Fundus examination showed a ciliochoroidal effusion in the right eye. Optical coherence tomography revealed intraretinal fluid in both eyes without leakage on fluorescein angiography. B-scan ultrasonography and anterior segment ultrasound biomicroscopy of the right eye showed peripheral ciliochoroidal effusion. He had recently started intensive cervical traction therapy for the treatment of cervical spinal stenosis. There was spontaneous resolution of the choroidal effusion and intraretinal fluid after stopping cervical traction treatments. Optical coherence tomography imaging after resolution of the intraretinal fluid revealed thinning of the outer nuclear layer and attenuation of the ellipsoid and interdigitation zones corresponding to a persistent paracentral scotoma, consistent with acute macular neuroretinopathy. Conclusion This is the first report of adverse ocular effects of cervical traction. We postulate that venous and arterial compromise during cervical traction therapy resulted in both ciliochoroidal effusion and a watershed infarct in the outer retina.

To investigate the effect of interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ESI) for management of central cervical spinal stenosis-induced posterior neck pain.This retrospective study recruited 45 patients with posterior neck pain caused by central cervical spinal stenosis. For the ESI procedure, a 21-gauge Touhy needle was inserted into the epidural space between C7 and T1, and 20 mg (40 mg/mL) of dexamethasone with 4 mL of normal saline was injected. The effect of the procedure was evaluated using a numerical rating scale at 1, 2, and 3 months after the procedure. Successful pain relief was defined as reduction in numerical rating scale score of ≥50% compared with before treatment. At 3 months after treatment, patient satisfaction levels were examined; patients who reported very good (score = 7) or good results (score = 6) were considered to be satisfied with the procedure.Posterior neck pain was significantly reduced at follow-up evaluation 1, 2, and 3 months after ESI (P0.001, repeated measures 1-factor analysis). At 3 months after the procedure, 58% of the patients achieved a successful response (≥50% pain reduction), and 56% were satisfied with treatment results.Cervical interlaminar ESI appears to be a good treatment method for managing chronic posterior neck pain induced by central cervical spinal stenosis, especially when pain is refractory to oral medication.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine if there exists referred medial scapula pain from C6 or C7 cervical spinal stenosis. Scapula pain of neurologic origin at present is felt to be mediated mainly by C5 through the dorsal scapular nerve. An interventional spine clinic noted a series of patients with medial scapula pain without C5 stenosis, however many of these patients had either C6 or C7 stenosis.

Introduction: Acute cervical trauma occasionally leads to cervical canal stenosis in some individuals in spite of minor trauma. The spinal canal-to-vertebral body ratio (Torg-Pavlov ratio) has been proposed for assessing developmental spinal canal stenosis. It is not affected by magnification, and is measured on lateral plain films of cervical vertebrae. The result of this study may help in better understanding of the Torg’s ratio, which is more reliable than direct measuring of the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal in the diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or predicting the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury. If Torg’s ratio is below normal there is risk of cervical cord injury whereas relatively safe in large Torg’s ratio. Torg’s ratio can be accessed even in rural areas where x-rays are easily available and more economical than MRI and CT scan. It can assess the risk of cord injury during sports and outdoor activities and help individuals’ choose safe carrier in sports or others activities.Methods: In order to ascertain the normal values of the Torg’s ratio in adults Nepalese, hundred sets of cervical vertebral columns of hundred adult Nepalese population of age group 20-40 years were examined. Consecutive patients presenting with history of neck pain with normal x-ray findings or history of trauma without cervical spine injury from Orthopaedic OPD (out patients department) and emergency department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu from March 2011 to August 2012 were included in the study.Results: There were 48 males and 52 females with age ranging from 20 yrs to 40 yrs with the mean of 30.34±5.36 years. The normal average canal/body ratio of the cervical spine is 0.99 +/- 0.09 in male and 1.01 +/- 0.07 in female. It was observed that the ratio of the antero-posterior diameters of cervical spinal canal and vertebral bodies showed sexual dimorphism.Conclusion: The Torg’s ratio is the same irrespective of gender and height. The result of this study will help in better understanding of the Torg’s ratio, which is more reliable than direct measuring of the mid-sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal in the diagnosis of cervical spinal stenosis or predicting the prognosis of cervical spinal cord injury.JSSN 2015; 18 (1), Page: 5-9

Background: Chronic neck and upper extremity pain associated with cervical origin is common, and cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections (CILESIs) are frequently used to manage the symptoms of cervical spinal disorders. However, CILESIs are associated with risks such as dural puncture and cord injury. Objectives: We aimed to determine the optimal needle tip visualization, in order to minimize CILESIs-induced complications. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: The single center study in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Methods: Participants were 312 adults with neck or upper extremity pain caused by cervical lesion such as cervical herniated nucleus pulposus (HNPs). They underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients with severe cervical spinal stenosis, prior posterior cervical spine surgery, or other anatomical abnormalities of the vertebral laminae were excluded from the study. By using axial T2- weighted spin-echo MRI, we defined the area between the spinous processes as the anterior posterior zone 1 (APZ1), and the area lateral to the spinous processes as the anterior posterior zone 2 (APZ2). Line 1 was drawn along the ventral margin of lamina that confined APZ1, and line 2 was similarly drawn in order to define APZ2. The angles between the midsagittal line and lines 1 and 2 were defined as angle 1 and angle 2, respectively. Angles were measured at the C5-6, C6-7, and C7-T1 levels, on both right and left sides at each level. Results: Angle 1 values (in degrees) at right C5-6, left C5-6, right C6-7, left C6-7, right C7-T1, and left C7-T1 were 62.54 ± 10.52, 64.34 ± 9.86, 62.03 ± 10.27, 62.87 ± 10.64, 61.64 ± 11.0, and 62.58 ± 10.83, respectively. Angle 2 values at right C5-6, left C5-6, right C6-7, left C6-7, right C7- T1, and left C7-T1 were 50.44 ± 6.84, 50.77 ± 7.00, 49.15 ± 6.07, 49.89 ± 6.45, 50.84 ± 6.68, and 50.24 ± 6.60, respectively. There were significant differences between angles 1 and 2 at each level. Limitations: This study is a retrospective review and did not employ controls, blinding, or randomization. Additionally, the optimal CLO angles for CILESIs and cervicothoracic interlaminar epidural steroid injections (CTILESIs) have not been assessed in clinical studies. Another limitation is that we divided lamina into only APZ1 and APZ2. Conclusions: During CILESIs, a contralateral oblique (CLO) view at 60 degrees is superior to other angles for visualizing the epidural space when the needle tip is placed in the interlaminar space and within the spinous processes margin. When the needle tip is placed in the interlaminar space and lateral to the spinous processes, a CLO view at 50 degrees is most appropriate. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval number: S2016-0390-0001 Key words: Chronic neck pain, chronic upper extremity pain, cervical epidural injections, cervical interlaminar steroid injections, steroid, needle tip position, needle tip visualization, fluoroscopy, complication, contralateral oblique view

Background Cervical spine deformity in rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) has been described with different findings reported in the literature. However, available literature provides limited data from a few cases with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine. Our report describes the MRI findings in a group of children with RCDP, aiming to reach a better understanding of this pathology. Methods An Institutional Review Board-approved RCDP Registry was created at our institution with the goal of identifying pertinent medical issues over the lifespan of individuals with RCDP. Records of children within the registry were evaluated, and magnetic resonance images obtained between 2004 and 2015, were available for review. The levels of spinal canal stenosis were recorded and the severity of the stenosis was decided based on adults' parameters. Cord compression and myelomalacia were confirmed on the axial images. Sagittal lumbar spine magnetic resonance images were also evaluated when available, and the presence of tethered cord and fatty filum was recorded. Results Twenty-six children (15 boys and 11 girls) were identified in the RCDP Registry. Eleven children (6 boys and 5 girls) had sagittal MRI of the cervical spine available for review. Age at the time of MRI study was variable (1 wk to 32 mo). All patients except 1 had stenosis of the cervical spinal canal. Myelomalacia of the cord was noted only in this patient. Conclusions This study suggests that, in children with RCDP, cervical spinal stenosis and cord compression are a real risk, and children with this diagnosis should have monitoring for these issues. Tethered cord is also a possible finding that needs to be evaluated. Full sagittal spine MRI is necessary to detect the possible deformities at the cervical and lumbar levels.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the chronic and slow deterioration of cervical spinal cord function. The pathophysiology of this condition is multifactorial, including compression, repetitive trauma, and vascular compromise of the spinal cord. Clinically, it presents as a progressive decline in patients’ appendicular neurological function. The natural history of this disease varies but, it is well-known that the duration and degree of compression correlate negatively with prognosis. A mild degree of CSM tends to stabilize with potential improvement over time while more severe CSM tends to progress. Surgical intervention has shown to positively alter the natural history of the disease by halting the progression with some restoration of function. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a chronic disease that results in progressive ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the spine. It commonly affects the cervical spine. The etiology is multifactorial in nature, including genetic and environmental factors. The progressive nature of this condition and the resultant cervical spinal stenosis make it one of the main causes of cervical myelopathy (CM). There is no medical therapy for this disease, and surgery is reserved for patients with CM caused by spinal cord compression. In this article, we review the different aspects of the natural history of both CSM and OPLL.

Aim: On the basis of an experience with 12 cases, the validity and rationale of cervical spinal stabilization for cases having both cervical and lumbar spinal canal stenosis is analyzed. Materials and Methods: From March 2017 to May 2018, 12 patients presented with a major symptom of neurogenic claudication pain generally related to lumbar canal stenosis in addition to other symptoms related to cervical myelopathy. The average age was 57 years. All patients were clinically and radiologically diagnosed to have both cervical and lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Based on the concept that degenerative spinal spondylotic myelopathy is an outcome of spinal instability, all patients underwent cervical spinal stabilization. No decompression by bone resection was done. The lumbar spine was not surgically treated. Visual analog scale, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, and Oswestry Disability Index were used to monitor patients before and after surgery. Results: There was dramatic relief from symptoms related both to cervical and to lumbar canal stenosis in the postoperative period. During the average period of follow-up of 12 months, none of the patients have experienced recurrence of lumbar pain or needed any surgery. Conclusion: The report highlights the possibility of recovery in lumbar canal stenosis related symptoms following cervical spinal stabilization surgery for associated cervical spinal stenosis. We conclude that in select cases, cervical spinal instability may be the cause of clinical and radiological observations in cases having lumbar canal stenosis.

Cervical radiculopathy is a disabling condition frequently encountered. Lateral disc herniation or foraminal stenosis will result in irritation of the cervical nerve roots. Pain may not always be the presenting complaint, as sensory or motor deficits may present without pain. The most common level of root compression is usually C7, followed by C6. In approximately 80% of cases, the symptoms would resolve with medications and physiotherapy. In remaining patients, in whom natural resolution of symptoms is not seen, injection of steroid and local anaesthetic in the nerve root foramen into the peri-radicular space – ‘cervical selective nerve root block’ (CSNRB) – could be effective. Besides ameliorating radiculopathy due to disc herniation and cervical spinal stenosis, CSNRB can improve symptoms temporarily prior to surgery or improve persistent pain after discectomy. Around 70% patients can avoid surgery after diagnostic/therapeutic cervical nerve root blocks.

Flexion-extension magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the cervical spine is not universally used in cervical spine surgery. However, flexion-extension MRIs can identify previously undetected spinal stenosis, improve surgical decision-making, and maybe a better tool to evaluate postoperative outcomes. One uncommon complication after laminectomy, to treat cervical spinal stenosis, is muscle weakness due to subsequent dynamic cord compression by posterior paraspinal musculature. We present a case of a 41-year-old male who underwent posterior cervical decompression and developed subsequent neurological deficits and muscle weakness. MRI with neutral cervical positioning did not show spinal stenosis necessitating surgical intervention. However, given the patient's increasing tetraparesis, flexion-extension MRI was performed and it revealed significant spinal stenosis in both flexion and extension positions due to spondylosis and compression from paraspinal muscles. This case demonstrates the utility of flexion-extension MRI in identifying pathologies such as cord compression by paraspinal muscles. Exclusive use of a neutral-position MRI scan may not be sufficient to provide proper diagnoses for cervical spine pathologies. Flexion-extension MRI should be considered when the degree of neurological symptoms outweighs minimal or absent pathology seen on neutral-position sagittal MRI.

Brachytelephalangic chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX1) is characterized by brachytelephalangy and nasomaxillary hypoplasia, in addition to stippled epiphyses. Some reports have described infants with CDPX1 who exhibited cervical spinal stenosis. However, the natural course of cervical spinal lesions in this condition has not been elucidated. Here, we report a very rare adolescent case of CDPX1, which demonstrated progressive myelopathy caused by atlantoaxial subluxation and a subsequent retroodontoid pseudotumor, successfully treated with surgery. Our case highlights a new clinically important fact that upper cervical spinal lesions in CDPX1 can deteriorate even after childhood and thus need close monitoring.