STUDY DESIGN Direct removal of an ossified mass via an anterior approach carries good decompression, to one- or two-level ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine. Ossification occasionally involves not only the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) but also the underlying dura mater. Defect of the dura mater by resection of the dural ossification (DO) ca...

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study. PURPOSE To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of autogenous bone graft and cage with bone substitute for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE The clinical outcomes of cage with bone substitute for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is satisfactory. METHODS Eighty four patients who underwent cervical spine surg...

OBJECT The objective of this systematic review was to use evidence-based medicine to examine the efficacy of anterior cervical surgery for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS The National Library of Medicine and Cochrane Database were queried using MeSH headings and key words relevant to anterior cervical surgery and CSM. Abstracts were reviewed, and studies meetin...

BACKGROUND There have been rare cases of traumatic cervical spondyloptosis without neurological compromise. We report another case and provide a review of the literature, with a focus on appropriate management. CASE DESCRIPTION A 60-year-old male rode his bicycle into a stationary semi-truck. He reported initial bilateral upper extremity paresthesias that resolved. Imaging demonstrated C7 on ...

BACKGROUND An increased rate of pseudarthrosis has been documented following posterolateral lumbar spine grafting in patients who smoke. This same relationship has been assumed for anterior cervical interbody grafting, but to our knowledge it has never been proven. This study compared the long-term radiographic and clinical results of smokers and nonsmokers who had undergone arthrodesis with au...

BACKGROUND Basilar invagination is a rare clinical condition characterized by upward protrusion of the odontoid process into the intracranial space, leading to bulbomedullary compression. It is often encountered in adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Transoral microscopic or endonasal endoscopic decompression may be pursued, with or without posterior fixation. We present a case of basilar invagin...

Introduction: From the beginning several surgical techniques have been invented to treat herniated cervical intervertebral disc. Long term results with well-designed studies have not been evaluated. Variation in Surgical Technique: The surgical techniques have varied with several variable factors and different variables used for evaluation. Postoperative interscapular pain following ACD has var...

In this special edition of Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, a series of systematic reviews sponsored by the Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons is presented. This collection of comprehensive reviews summarizes the medical evidence related to the surgical management of cervical degenerative ...

BACKGROUND Cervical facet dislocation is the anterior displacement of one cervical vertebral body on another. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of skull traction through an anterior cervical approach in the treatment of severe lower cervical facet dislocation without vertebral body fracture. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty subjects with severe lower cervical facet dislocati...

Posterior cervical decompression and fusion can be performed for various spinal conditions. Previous rates of pseudoarthrosis have been reported in up to 38% of patients. The use of bone morphogenic protein (BMP) has been approved for use in certain anterior lumbar interbody fusion techniques to decrease the incidence of pseudoarthrosis. Bone morphogenic protein in the anterior cervical spine c...