Anterior cervical foramenotomy for cervical radiculopathy

Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is standard practice for cervical radiculopathy. Irrespective of the precise method used, it involves more or less complete disc removal with resultant anatomical and biomechanical derangements, and frequently the insertion of a bone or prosthetic graft. Anterior cervical foramenotomy is an alternative procedure that allows effective anterior decompression of the nerve root and lateral spinal cord, whilst conserving the native disc, preserving normal anatomy and movement, and protecting against later degeneration at adjacent spaces as far as possible. The aim of the study was to determine the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical foramenotomy in the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and took the form of a prospective study of 21 cases under the care of a single surgeon. All patients had a single level or two level anterior cervical foramenotomy. All had pre- and postoperative visual analogue scores for arm and neck pain, arm strength, sensation and overall use. A comparison between patients' perceptions and surgeon's observations was also made. Patients were followed up for between 10 and 36 months. Sixty-eight per cent completed full pre- and postoperative assessments. Twenty-eight per cent of the responders had complete arm pain resolution. There were statistically significant reductions in arm and neck pain, and overall disability. The surgeon's impression of improvement paralleled that of the patients. There was one complication with discitis. Anterior cervical foramenotomy is a safe and effective treatment for cervical radiculopathy caused by posterolateral cervical disc prolapse or uncovertebral osteophyte, and might also reduce adjacent segment degeneration.     

Posterior cervical laminoplasty formultilevel cervical spine stenosis

Cervical laminoplasty for treating multilevel spinal stenosis appears to be a good surgical alternative to the more traditional laminectomy or anterior decompression and fusion. This procedure avoids the morbidity associated with extensive anterior procedures and also appears not to be associated with late kyphosis, which can be seen in patients after a laminectomy. This review outlines the rationale, indications, contraindications, and early clinical results for patients undergoing a posterior laminoplasty.     

Alternating cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

We present a novel method of performing an 'open-door' cervical laminoplasty. The complete laminotomy is sited on alternate sides at successive levels, thereby allowing the posterior arch to be elevated to alternate sides. Foraminotomies can be carried out on either side to relieve root compression. The midline structures are preserved. We undertook this procedure in 23 elderly patients with a spondylotic myelopathy. Each was assessed clinically and radiologically before and after their operation. Follow-up was for a minimum of three years (mean 4.5 years; 3 to 7). Using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system, the mean pre-operative score was 8.1 (6 to 10), which improved post-operatively to a mean of 12.7 (11 to 14). The mean percentage improvement was 61% (50% to 85.7%) after three years. The canal/vertebral body ratio improved from a mean of 0.65 (0.33 to 0.73) pre-operatively to 0.94 (0.5 to 1.07) postoperatively. Alternating cervical laminoplasty can be performed safely in elderly patients with minimal morbidity and good results.     

微创前路经上位椎体椎间孔减压术治疗神经根型颈椎病

【摘要】 目的：探讨微创前路经上位椎体椎间孔减压术治疗神经根型颈椎病的有效性。方法：2008年7月~2010年7月12例单侧神经根型颈椎病患者在延边大学医院接受微创前路经上位椎体椎间孔减压术。其中男7例,女5例,年龄为35~68岁,平均49岁。椎间孔狭窄部位：C5/6 4例,C6/7 5例,C7/T1 3例。软性髓核突出3例,钩椎关节骨质增生7例,突出的髓核钙化2例。均行前路手术,术中采用脊柱手术专用显微镜,在病变上位椎体确定钻孔起始部位,利用高速钻石气钻磨出一约6mm直径的通路达到病变区域,减压椎间孔。观察术前及末次随访时上肢放射性疼痛的VAS评分、颈椎功能障碍指数（NDI）及病变水平椎间盘高度。结果：手术时间为56~110min,平均86±6min;术中失血量为40~120ml,平均92±8ml。无椎动脉损伤、贺纳氏综合征、喉返神经损伤等并发症。术后随访时间为12~23个月,平均15.8±1.3个月。术前上肢疼痛VAS评分为8.5±0.5分（7~10分）,末次随访时为1.4±0.2分（0~3分）,两者比较有显著性差异（P<0.05）;术前NDI为26.4±1.3分（22~31分）,末次随访时为4.2±0.6分（3~8分）,两者比较有显著性差异（P<0.05）,改善率为84.1%;术前病变水平椎间盘高度为5.4±0.7mm（4.2~6.1mm）,末次随访时为4.9±0.7mm（3.6~5.8mm）,两者比较无显著性差异（P>0.05）。术后满意度为100%。结论：微创前路经上位椎体椎间孔减压术可减少对椎间盘的损伤,是治疗单侧神经根型颈椎病的有效手术方法。     

Percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty and percutaneous cervical discectomy treatments of the contained cervical disc herniation

Background  

There were no studies in literature to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous nucleoplasty (PCN) and percutaneous cervical discectomy (PCD) in contained cervical disc herniation.     

前路颈椎椎间盘切除融合术与动态装置植入术治疗单节段颈椎椎间盘突出症

目的对比前路颈椎椎间盘切除融合术(ACDF)与颈椎前路动态装置植入术(DCI)对单节段颈椎椎间盘突出症(CDH)患者颈椎活动度(ROM)及术后颈椎曲度的影响。方法回顾性分析2018年6月—2019年9月海军军医大学长征医院收治的78例单节段CDH患者临床资料,其中42例采用ACDF治疗(ACDF组),36例采用DCI治疗(DCI组)。记录并比较2组患者手术时间、术中出血量,术前及术后1年日本骨科学会(JOA)评分、疼痛视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分、手术节段Cobb角、C2~7颈椎曲度、邻近椎体高度及颈椎各运动方向(前屈后伸、左右侧曲、左右旋转)的ROM。结果所有手术顺利完成。2组术中出血量比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。DCI组手术时间比ACDF组短,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。2组患者术后1年JOA评分、VAS评分和邻近椎体高度均较术前改善,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后1年ACDF组C2~7颈椎曲度、手术节段Cobb角均较术前有所丢失,DCI组无明显丢失,组间比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后1年2组前屈后伸、左右侧曲ROM与术前比较均未出现明显变化,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后1年2组左右旋转ROM出现了相近程度的受限,与术前比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论ACDF与DCI治疗单节段CDH均可获得满意的临床效果,虽然ACDF术后影像学资料显示有生理曲度的丢失,但颈椎ROM维持良好,并不影响患者的生活质量。     

Anterior cervical microforaminotomy for cervical radiculopathy--results and review

Analysis of anterior cervical microforaminotomy performed at the North Staffordshire University Hospital along with a review of literature of this minimally invasive procedure is presented. METHODS: A retrospective-prospective study was performed on 34 patients (24 males, 10 females) with cervical disc disease who had been surgically treated with anterior cervical microforaminotomy between 1999 and 2005. Age ranged from 37 to 75. MRI findings were disc prolapse in 28 and additional osteophytes in six. Microforaminotomy was performed according to the published technique. RESULTS: Single level operations were performed in 22 patients (21 unilateral, 1 bilateral) and multi-level operations were performed in 12 patients (7 unilateral and 5 bilateral). The short-term outcomes were excellent in 65% (i.e., complete resolution of all symptoms), good in 29% (relief of radiculopathy but some non-radicular discomfort persists), and fair in 6% (mild residual radiculopathy with or without non-radicular symptoms). Postoperative complications include one patient with partial C6 root damage, which was identified intraoperatively, but had excellent results at 2 months post operation. Long-term follow-up (using the cervical spine research society questionnaire) ranged from 2-48 months. The average pain score, neurological outcome and functional outcome improved after this operation. RE-OPERATION: One patient, who had 2 level bilateral surgeries, needed discectomies with fusion for new onset myelopathy 18 months later. CONCLUSION: Appropriate patient selection is cardinal in achieving good outcome in anterior microforaminotomy.     

Postoperative instability of cervical OPLL and cervical radiculomyelopathy

The presence of cervical spine instability with respect to preoperative and postoperative changes in angular, horizontal, and rotational displacement of the vertebral body were studied. With the anterior approach, the instability in the remaining unfused segments, and their relation to the kyphotic or lordotic fused segment were studied. With the posterior approach, postoperative ROM (range of motion) could be better maintained, and horizontal displacement was improved in more cases by laminoplasty compared with laminectomy. With the anterior approach, the compensatory function for the loss of motion of the segments resulting from fusion was most remarkable at the levels of C2-3 and C6-7. In the alignment of the anterior fused segments, it appears important that the physiologic lordotic position be maintained.     

颈椎不稳在交感型颈椎病发病中的作用

目的：研究交感型颈椎病的病理因素及治疗方法。方法：回顾分析了1988-2000年收治的20例手术治疗的交感型颈椎病患者。根据术前及术后颈椎伸屈侧位X光片判断有无颈椎不稳。结果：20例患者术前均有颈椎不稳,颈椎不稳主要发生在C3-C4和C4-C5,颈椎高位硬膜外封闭对大部分患者有短期效果。每例患者均于不稳节段行颈前路融合术,手术有效率为90％。结论：颈椎不稳是导致交感型颈椎病发病的重要因素;颈椎高位硬膜外封闭可有短期疗效因此具有重要的诊断价值;颈椎前路植骨融合术是治疗交感型颈椎病的有效方法。     

经皮髓核成形术与椎间盘切除术治疗退变性颈椎间盘突出症

目的比较经皮髓核成形术与经皮椎间盘切除术治疗退变性颈椎间盘突出症的临床疗效及对颈椎稳定性的影响。方法2002年7月至2004年12月共收治退变性颈椎间盘突出症患者80例,行经皮髓核成形术42例(PCN组),经皮椎间盘切除术38例(PCD组)。回顾性分析两组的临床资料,比较两组在手术时间、临床效果及颈椎稳定性等的差异。结果所有病例随访6~26个月,PCN组平均(12±5)个月;PCD组平均(12±4)个月。两组手术均获成功。两组手术时间有显著差异(t=-21·70,P=0·000);两组手术临床效果(JOA评分)经自身配对t检验显示均有显著性差异(PCN:t=14·05,P=0·000;PCD:t=-14·79,P=0·000),即两组均有效;两组手术临床效果(Williams评分)经Kruskal-Wallis检验无显著差异(z=-0·377,P=0·706,>0·05),即两组临床效果相似。两组手术后均无颈椎不稳病例发生,颈椎稳定性手术前后均无显著差异(P>0·05)。结论经皮髓核成形术与经皮椎间盘切除术治疗颈椎间盘突出症的临床疗效优良,对颈椎稳定性影响小,不会造成颈椎失稳的发生。     

Comparison of cervical kinematics between patients with cervical artificial disc replacement and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical disc herniation

Background contextAlthough anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is an effective treatment option for patients with cervical disc herniation, it limits cervical range of motion, which sometimes causes discomfort and leads to biomechanical stress at neighboring segments. In contrast, cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) is supposed to preserve normal cervical range of motion than ACDF. A biomechanical measurement is necessary to identify the advantages and clinical implications of ADR. However, literature is scarce about this topic and in those available studies, authors used the static radiological method, which cannot identify three-dimensional motion and coupled movement during motion of one axis.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the clinical parameters and cervical motion by three-dimensional motion analysis between ACDF and ADR and to investigate the ability of ADR to maintain cervical kinematics.Study designThis was a prospective case control study.Patient samplePatients who underwent ADR or ACDF for the treatment of single-level cervical disc herniation.Outcome measuresVisual analog scale (VAS), Korean version of Neck Disability Index (NDI, %), and three-dimensional motion analysis were used.MethodsThe patients were evaluated by VAS and the Korean version of the NDI (%) to assess pain degree and functional status. Cervical motions were assessed by three-dimensional motion analysis in terms of sagittal, coronal, and horizontal planes. Markers of 2.5 cm in diameter were attached at frontal polar (Fpz), center (Cz), and occipital (Oz) of 10–20 system of electroencephalography, C7 spinous process, and both acromions. These evaluations were performed preoperatively and 1 month and 6 months after surgery.ResultsThe ACDF and ADR groups revealed no significant difference in VAS, NDI (%), and cervical range of motion preoperatively. After surgery, both groups showed no significant difference in VAS and NDI (%). In motion analysis, significantly more range of motion was retained in flexion and extension in the ADR group than the ACDF group at 1 month and 6 months. There was no significant difference in lateral tilt and rotation angle. In terms of coupled motion, ADR group exhibited significantly more preserved sagittal plane motion during right and left rotation and also showed significantly more preserved right lateral bending angle during right rotation than ACDF group at 1 month and 6 months. There was no significant difference in other coupled motions.ConclusionThree-dimensional motion analysis could provide useful information in an objective and quantitative way about cervical motion after surgery. In addition, it allowed us to measure not only main motion but also coupled motion in three planes. ADR demonstrated better retained cervical motion mainly in sagittal plane (flexion and extension) and better preserved coupled sagittal and coronal motion during transverse plane motion than ACDF. ADR had the advantage in that it had the ability to preserve more cervical motions after surgery than ACDF.     

Axial symptoms and cervical alignments after cervical anterior spinal fusion for patients with cervical myelopathy

This retrospective clinical study was designed to examine the relation between cervical alignment and axial symptoms developing after cervical anterior spinal fusion. Sixty patients with myelopathy treated with cervical anterior spinal fusion were reviewed. For radiographic evaluation, lordosis, enlargement of the fused segments and neural foramen, radiographic union, and degeneration of adjacent segment were reviewed before or after surgery or both. Twenty-three patients had axial symptoms. Only local kyphosis and narrowing of the neural foramen at the fused segment were recognized more often in patients with axial symptoms than in those without such symptoms. No less than 2 mm and < or = 5 mm in enlargement of the anterior disc space immediately after surgery resulted in maintenance of cervical lordosis. These findings suggest that > or = 2 mm and < or = 5 mm in enlargement of anterior vertebral body height during operation results in prevention of axial symptoms.     

应用颈椎前路动态ABC钢板促进颈椎椎体间融合

目的观察颈椎前路动态ABC钢板促进颈椎椎体间植骨融合的疗效。方法对40例患者（68个节段）行颈椎前路椎间盘摘除、椎体间自体髂骨植骨、ABC钢板内固定术。术后观察ADL评分，颈椎曲度、椎体间融合及融合植骨块下沉情况。结果40例均获随访，时间12—44（22．17±8．33）个月。ADL评分术前2～13（7．92±3．07）分，术后8—17（13．94±2．48）分，改善明显。术后无钢板、螺钉断裂或松动现象发生。39例颈椎生理性前凸获得良好改善，仅1例术后3个月融合椎体邻近节段发生反曲，患者颈部无不适症状。68个融合节段中，67个节段6个月内融合，1个节段延迟至术后12个月时方融合。术后3个月内，单节段融合植骨块下沉平均（1．21±0．54）mm，2节段平均（2．01±0．87）mm，3节段平均（2．97±0．82）mm。3个月后各节段下沉不再明显。结论应用动态ABC钢板可以降低植骨后相关并发症的发生，有效避免静态钢板造成的应力遮挡，从而促进颈椎椎体间的融合。     

前路带锁钢板治疗严重颈椎损伤

目的 :评价AO颈椎前路带锁钢板 (cervicalspinelockingplate ,CSLP)在严重颈椎损伤中的应用效果。 方法 :对 10例颈椎骨折脱位伴截瘫或不全截瘫患者行颈椎前路减压、植骨融合 ,并采用CSLP内固定。结果 :经平均 18个月随访 ,全组病例植骨融合良好 ,未发现钢板螺钉松动、断裂等并发症。结论 :CSLP具有高度的内在稳定性 ,操作简单、安全、并发症少 ,内固定材料生物相容性好、无磁性 ,适用于颈椎骨折、脱位的治疗。     

颈前路减压融合术治疗多节段颈椎病

目的报告颈前路减压融合术治疗多节段颈椎病的手术方法及临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2003年8月-2008年1月期间,采用前路减压融合术治疗并获随访的28例多节段颈椎病患者,具体方法为间隙减压+椎体次全切除减压,取三面皮质自体髂骨或钛质网及椎间融合器(cage)填充切除病椎之松质骨置入,钢板固定。手术前后对患者进行JOA评分并计算改善率,并记录患者并发症。结果本组患者术中无并发症,随访18月～72个月。术后18月JOA评分平均改善率为75.2%,其中优11例,占39.3%;良9例,占32.1%;中8例,占28.6%;结论采用该术式的颈前路融合术治疗多节段颈椎病,减压直接彻底,恢复和重建颈椎生理曲度和病变节段椎间高度,坚强固定达到即刻稳定,疗效比较满意。     

颈椎矢状力线和颈椎间盘退变的关系

[目的]探讨T_1倾斜角等颈椎矢状力线和颈椎间盘退变的关系。[方法]回顾分析2016年8月～2017年8月60例颈椎退行性疾病患者,其中男25例,女35例,年龄51～68岁,平均(61.00±5.30)岁,病程5～13个月,平均(9.60±2.55)个月。所有患者拍摄颈椎侧位X线片以及颈椎MR,依据Pfirrmann分级评定椎间盘退变;测量矢状面位移(SVA)、颈椎前凸角(CL)、颈倾斜角(NT)、胸廓入射角(TIA)、T_1倾斜角(T_1S)。[结果] 60例患者中按T_1S测量结果分为T_1S<25°组27例,T_1S≥25°组33例, T_1S<25°组C_(5/6)和C_(6/7)节段的颈椎椎间盘退变Pfirrmann评级显著大于T_1S≥25°组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。T_1S与C_(5/6)椎间盘退变分级呈负相关(R=-0.590,P<0.05),与C_(6/7)椎间盘退变分级呈负相关(R=-0.794, P<0.05)。60例患者按椎间盘退变Pfirrmann评分分为两组,≤15分25例,>15分35例,两组间TIA、T_1S和NT的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。≤15分组的CL显著大于>15分组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。≤15分组的C_(2-7)SVA显著小于>15分组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),CL与Pfirrmann分级呈负相关(R=-0.865,P<0.05),C_(2～7)SVA与Pfirrmann分级呈正相关(R=0.791,P<0.05)。[结论]颈椎矢状力线与颈椎椎间盘退变相关,CL与椎间盘退变呈负相关,C_(2-7)SVA与椎间盘退变呈正相关,T_1S与C_(5/6)、C_(6/7)椎间盘退变呈现负相关。     

脊髓型颈椎病前路手术疗效分析

脊髓型颈椎病在各类颈椎病中引起功能障碍最严重,对其早期手术治疗已成为共识[1] 。采用前路减压手术治疗远期疗效已得到肯定[2 ,3] 。我院自1995年开展脊髓型颈椎病前路减压手术治疗4 2例患者,取得了满意的效果。1　对象与方法1.1　一般资料　本组共4 2例,男性31例,女性11例。年龄36～70岁,平均5 7岁。病程2 1天～8年,平均16月。1.2　影像学表现　所有患者术前常规颈椎动力位摄片及MRI检查。X线示合并有发育性颈椎管狭窄17例,节段性不稳10例,局灶性后纵韧带骨化5例,10例为退行性变。MRI提示1个椎间盘退变、突出9例,2个椎间盘退变、突出1…     

High anterior cervical approach to the upper cervical spine

BACKGROUND: Surgical exposure of the upper cervical spine is challenging, and optima approaches are subjects of debate. The high anterior cervical approach to the upper cervical spine is a favorable method that provides direct and wide exposure for fusion and anterior decompression of the upper cervical spine. The authors present their experiences with 15 patients in whom fusion and instrumentation on the upper cervical spine were performed via the prevascular extraoral retropharyngeal approach. METHODS: A series of 15 patients who were surgically treated using the high anterior cervical retropharyngeal approach was reviewed. These cases involved a C2 hangman's fracture with significant angulation and translation (11 patients), C2 EDH (1 patient), C2 chordoma (1 patient), C3-4 metastasis (1 patient), and C2-3-4 OPLL (1 patient). RESULTS: Twelve patients underwent C2-3 fusion followed by instrumentation. C2-5 fusion with instrumentation was performed in 2 patients. One patient experienced occipitocervical fusion after anterior removal of a C2 chordoma. A solid fusion was achieved in 13 patients. However, 1 patient needed additional posterior fusion because of fusion failure, and the other died due to ischemic heart disease. There was 1 patient who developed permanent dysphagia related to the hypoglossal nerve and 2 who had transient dysphagia. No complications occurred related to the marginal branch of the facial nerve or submandibular gland. CONCLUSIONS: The high anterior cervical approach is a useful surgical technique for an upper cervical lesion without severe morbidity, which allows direct anterior access to C2 and C3 while allowing extension to the lower cervical spine.     

颈椎自锁PEEK椎间融合器在颈椎病治疗中的应用

目的评价应用颈椎自锁PEEK椎间融合器前路减压治疗颈椎病的疗效。方法应用颈椎自锁PEEK椎间融合器治疗颈椎病患者18例,观察椎间融合器的稳定性和融合情况,采用Borden法测量椎间隙高度、颈椎曲度,对术前和术后JOA评分、椎间隙高度、颈椎曲度等指标进行统计学分析。结果 18例患者均获随访,时间6～42个月,未见严重并发症。术后6个月提示椎间骨性融合。椎间高度:术前为(3.26±0.68)mm,术后1周为(6.03±0.89)mm(P<0.01);术后6个月为(5.89±0.78)mm,与术后1周比较变化不大(P>0.05)。颈椎生理弧度:术前为(2.55±0.48)mm,术后1周为(3.24±0.67)mm(P>0.05);术后6个月为(8.14±1.17)mm,与术后1周比较明显改善(P<0.01)。末次随访根据JOA评分法进行疗效评价:优4例,良9例,可3例,差2例。结论颈椎自锁PEEK椎间融合器可以有效恢复颈椎生理曲度及椎间隙高度,可以获得满意的融合率,改善颈脊髓功能。