Cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Approaches to surgical treatment

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is the leading cause of spinal cord dysfunction in older patients. This review article looks at the natural history of the condition and examines the role of different surgical treatments for it. Anterior and posterior surgical approaches have a role in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy dependent on the number of levels involved and the alignment of the spine. Anterior decompression and fusion is useful in patients who have disease at three or fewer levels or in patients with kyphotic alignment. In more extensive disease, a posterior decompression and fusion is usually best. Canal expansive laminoplasty is useful in the treatment of myelopathy without radiculopathy in a patient with lordotic alignment. With the exception of laminoplasty, nonfusion procedures have little role in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.     

脊髓型颈椎病手术治疗53例临床总结

１９９２年１１月～１９９６年８月手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病５３例。优良率９２４％。手术方法包括颈前、后方减压及椎板成形术。前路手术适于Ｃ３,４以下１～２个椎间病变的减压。广泛椎板切除可致鹅颈畸形及晚期脊髓损害。改良单开门棘突骨支撑植骨椎管扩大成形术及植骨的双开门椎管扩大成形术较为合理     

颈椎前路减压分段融合术和后路椎管扩大成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的病例对照研究

目的 :比较颈椎前路减压分段融合术和后路椎管扩大成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:对2009年7月至2012年6月收治的56例多节段脊髓型颈椎病病例进行回顾性分析,男32例,女24例;年龄42~79岁,平均(56.9±12.8)岁,病程2个月~16年,平均(10.6±3.2)年。所有患者术前经影像学检查显示有多节段颈椎间盘突出,并具有脊髓型颈椎病的临床表现。其中34例采用颈椎前路减压分段融合术(前路组),22例采用后路椎管扩大成形术(后路组)。通过影像学资料对两组患者手术前后的病变节段前柱高度和颈椎前曲度进行比较,并采用JOA评分评价手术效果。结果:两组患者无神经血管并发症发生,并获得24~36个月的随访(平均28.6个月)。前路组,术后2周时颈椎病变节段前柱高度较术前明显增高(P0.05),颈椎前曲度较术前明显降低(P0.05)。后路组,术后2周及末次随访时,病变节段前柱高度和颈椎前曲度较术前差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组间在术后2周及末次随访时颈椎前曲度差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后两组JOA评分均出现了明显恢复,术后3个月及末次随访时,前路组明显高于后路组(P0.05),且JOA评分改善率前路组也优于后路组(P0.05)。结论:这种分段式前路融合手术可以有效地恢复颈椎前柱高度,并且与颈椎后路椎管扩大成形术相比,可以显著地改善脊髓功能,是治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的有效方案。     

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: treatment with posterior decompression and Luque rectangle bone fusion

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy appears to result from a combination of factors. The two major components are 1) compressive forces resulting from narrowing of the spinal canal, and 2) dynamic forces owing to mobility of the cervical spine. There is substantial evidence to suggest that the repetitive trauma to the spinal cord that is sustained with movement in a spondylotic canal may be a major cause of progressive myelopathy. Utilization of extensive anterior procedures that remove the diseased ventral features as well as eliminate the dynamic forces owing to the accompanying fusion have grown in popularity. Cervical laminectomy enlarges the spinal canal, but does not reduce the dynamic forces affecting the spinal cord, and may actually increase cervical mobility, leading to a perpetuation of the myelopathy. The authors propose the combination of posterior decompression and Luque rectangle bone fusion to deal with both the compressive and the dynamic factors that lead to cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Ten patients who had advanced myelopathy underwent the combined procedures. Nine of the 10 experienced significant neurological improvement, and the 10th has had no progression. The combination of posterior decompression and Luque rectangle bone fusion may offer a simple, safe, and effective alternative treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.     

Cervical laminoplasty to enlarge the spinal canal in multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament with myelopathy

We studied 23 patients with severe myeloradiculopathy involving multiple (more than three) levels of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine, who were treated with laminoplasty to enlarge the spinal canal. The resected spinous processes were used as bone grafts to support the opened laminae. These patients were analyzed pre- and postoperatively with a neurological evaluation according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score system for cervical myelopathy. Follow-up was from 2.0 to 5.3 years with an average of 31.5 months. The results were compared with those in 31 patients with the same degree (multilevel) of OPLL who had been operated upon previously by laminectomy (14 cases) or anterior resection (17 cases). Postoperative neurological recovery by improvement ratio of the JOA score was observed in 81.2% of those who had undergone expansive laminoplasty, in 72.4% of those with laminectomy, and in 63.6% of those with anterior decompression. We concluded that expansive laminoplasty is a safer procedure with fewer complications. Stability is achieved by fixing the expanded laminae permanently with a bone graft. The neurological recovery following our technique of laminoplasty and fusion appears to be superior to that with laminectomy or anterior decompression.     

Surgical outcome of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the thoracic spine: implication of the type of ossification and surgical options

OBJECTIVE: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine produces myelopathy through anterior spinal cord compression that is usually progressive and unaffected by conservative treatment. Therefore, early decompressive surgery is imperative. However, decompression surgery of thoracic myelopathy is difficult, and the outcome is often poor. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the surgical outcome of 21 patients with thoracic OPLL to evaluate which type of surgical approach is better and which type of thoracic OPLL results in a better surgical outcome. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with thoracic OPLL (10 men and 11 women; mean age 54 years), who underwent surgical treatment at our department from March 1985 to October 2000, were included in the study. Seven patients exhibited the flat-type OPLL and underwent either anterior decompression and fusion (one patient), anterior decompression via a posterior approach (three patients), or expansive laminoplasty (three patients). Fourteen patients exhibited the beak-type OPLL and also underwent either anterior decompression and fusion (two patients), anterior decompression via a posterior approach (six patients), or expansive laminoplasty (six patients). RESULTS: Regarding of operative time and blood loss, there were no marked differences between the two types of OPLL, regardless of the type of surgical procedure; anterior decompression and fusion and anterior decompression via a posterior approach yielded longer operative times and larger blood loss volumes than expansive laminoplasty. Concerning clinical outcome, there were five cases of neurologic deterioration. All of the five deteriorated cases were of the beak-type OPLL treated by a posterior approach. Two of these patients were treated with expansive laminoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: There were five instances of neurologic deterioration in our thoracic OPLL series, and all of them exhibited beak-type OPLL. In the beak-type OPLL, a subtle alteration in the spinal alignment during posterior decompression procedures may increase spinal cord compression, leading to the deterioration of symptoms. A potential increase in kyphosis following laminectomy should be avoided by fixation with a temporary rod. If intraoperative monitoring suggests spinal cord dysfunction, an anterior decompression procedure should be attempted as soon as possible.     

多节段脊髓型颈椎病的外科治疗

目的 探讨多节段脊髓型颈椎病的外科治疗入路及方法。方法 自2009-01-2013-01行连续性多节段脊髓型颈椎病手术治疗63例患者,其中36例行前路分节段脊髓减压,27例行后路改良锚定单开门椎板扩大成形术。结果 所有患者得到随访平均24个月（12-36个月）。前路组平均手术时间明显长于后路组,前路组术中失血量多于后路组（P〈0.05）,而住院天数后路组长于前路组,前路组术后后凸畸形矫正方面明显好于后路组,在末次随访VAS评分2组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。在术后末次随访时VAS评分、JOA评分、Odom评分、NDI评分等2组无明显区别,在轴性症状、C5神经根麻痹方面后路组多于前路组。结论 前路组及后路组在治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病均可以取得满意的临床疗效,前路组在手术时间、出血量多于后路组,前路组恢复颈椎的序列,并发症少于后路组,但必须根据患者具体情况选择手术方式。     

前后路Ⅰ期减压术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的:探讨脊髓前后受压所导致脊髓型颈椎病的手术治疗方法.方法:采用前路减压植骨自 锁钢板内固定和后路单开门椎管扩大成形术一次性完成的手术方法对26例脊髓型颈椎病(为脊髓前后均受压的脊髓型颈椎病患者)进行治疗观察,其中男9例,女17例;年龄63～81岁,平均69岁.并对其治疗结果进行分析总结.结果:26例获得1.5～6年的随访,22例症状完全消失,4例尚留有轻度手臂麻木.按JOA评分标准:优16例,良6例,可4例,差0例.结论:采用前后路Ⅰ期手术治疗脊髓前后同时受压的脊髓型颈椎病减压彻底、固定可靠、疗效满意,不但使治疗周期大大缩短、复发率明显减少,而且可使脊髓和神经根受压症状得到彻底缓解.     

颈椎后方韧带复合体也许是多节段颈椎病后路手术的新思路

颈椎病是影响国人乃至全人类最常见的脊柱退行性疾患之一,颈椎病会给病人带来极大的不适和生活困扰。后路减压手术是治疗颈椎病,尤其是多节段颈椎病变最常用的手术方式。然而,后路手术需将颈椎棘突和附着在其上的棘上、棘间韧带部分或完全切除,从而破坏了颈椎后方韧带复合体的功能,术后病人易出现颈椎反曲、鹅颈畸形、颈椎失稳,甚至出现迟发性脊髓神经受压。所以,近年来越来越多的研究开始集中于避免破坏颈椎后方韧带复合体,国内外学者从集中术式改良和手术入路改良两方面进行了一些研究,均直接或间接的证明了保留颈椎后方韧带复合体的手术方式具有更好的治疗效果。故本文就近年来保留颈椎后方韧带复合体的术式研究作一综述,希望能为未来多节段退变性颈椎病后路的治疗提供一个新的思路。     

一次性颈椎后路椎管扩大成形术加经硬脊膜入路髓核摘除术治疗脊髓钳夹型颈椎病

目的 探讨采用一次性颈椎后路单开门椎管成形术加经硬脊膜入路椎间盘髓核摘除术治疗脊髓钳夹型颈椎病的手术方法及观察其近期手术疗效.方法 本组6例脊髓钳夹型颈椎病患者术前均行X线片、CT和MRI检查确诊.手术方法均采用颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术,然后在颈椎间盘突出相应的硬脊膜的位置上纵行切开硬脊膜,显露颈髓和上、下神经根及齿状韧带,切开纤维环取出髓核组织.结果 本组6例均获随访,按JOA评分标准平均提高3-6分,肌力平均提高2-3级,术前症状基本消失或缓解.术后予以X线片及MRI复查,无明显并发症,钳夹节段的颈髓均显示压迫解除.结论 一次性颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形术加经硬脊膜入路椎间盘髓核摘除术是治疗脊髓钳夹型颈椎病的一种可行有效的手术方法.它可避免多次手术的痛苦.     

单开门颈椎管成形联合单侧侧块固定术治疗颈椎伤病

目的探讨单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病的可行性和疗效。方法利用单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病患者16例,手术减压节段包括C3~53个节段2例,C3~64个节段5例,C3~75个节段9例。手术方式均采用单开门颈椎管扩大成形,门轴侧行侧块螺钉钢板内固定,并大量植骨。结果术中及术后均未发生脊髓、神经根及血管副损伤。全部患者平均随访18个月,术后3个月时JOA评分从术前的7.9分提高到13.1分。随访期间未见内固定物移位断裂及椎板再关门现象,门轴侧骨折处骨质融合。结论单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病疗效安全可靠,经济实用,在椎管扩大成形获得即刻稳定的同时,提高植骨融合率,减少后凸畸形及失稳的发生率,减少椎板再关门现象。     

Relationships between sagittal alignment of the cervical spine and morphology of the spinal cord and clinical outcomes in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated with expansive laminoplasty

A total of 103 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy undergoing laminoplasty were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate whether sagittal alignment of the cervical spine and morphology of the spinal cord influence surgical outcomes. Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine did not influence surgical outcomes. Neurologic recovery in patients with anterior convexity of the spinal cord was better than in those without this type of spinal cord. In patients with supplementation of decompression at C2, sagittal morphology of the spinal cord did not influence neurologic recovery. It is important to acquire anterior convexity of the spinal cord after surgery if laminoplasty is performed below C3. In patients with kyphosis, where anterior convexity of the spinal cord is not thought to be obtained postoperatively, it is possible that additional decompression of C2 improves outcome.     

颈椎病伴椎管狭窄患者再手术问题探讨

目的：探讨颈椎病伴椎管狭窄患者再手术的原因、手术方式及其相关问题。方法：我院2002年7月～2003年12月对40例颈椎病伴椎管狭窄术后疗效不佳或症状复发的患者进行了后路多节段（5个或以上）减压手术。根据其手术治疗方式及影像学资料分析再手术原因，并进行术后疗效评价。结果：经前路手术者再手术的主要原因为：（1）伴有多节段颈椎管狭窄因素时，只选择部分压迫重的节段行减压融合15例；（2）经前路多节段（≥3个节段）减压融合后，相邻节段继续退变，出现新的脊髓压迫表现及椎间不稳定9例；（3）伴有OPLL时，行部分节段前路减压融合后，病变呈进展表现，产生或加重对脊髓的压迫8例。经后路手术者再手术的原因为：（1）后路减压节段不够5例（包括1例前后路联合手术者）；（2）后路减压不充分3例。再手术后随访1．3～2．7年，平均2．1年，所有患者脊髓功能获得一定的提高，JOA评分改善率为51．3％。结论：颈椎病伴椎管狭窄病例再手术的主要原因为椎管狭窄因素仍然存在，经后路多节段（5个或以上）减压手术治疗可彻底去除颈椎管狭窄因素，有效解除脊髓前、后方所受的压迫，可获得较满意的临床疗效。     

A comparison of anterior cervical fusion, cervical laminectomy, and cervical laminoplasty for the surgical management of multiple level spondylotic radiculopathy

The risks and success of surgery for multiple level cervical spondylotic radiculopathy differs from that of single level disease. The problems associated with multiple level anterior fusion over single level fusion include higher pseudoarthrosis rates than that associated with single level disease. Bilateral and multiple level laminectomy carries the risk of potential instability. Cervical laminoplasty, until recently, has only been performed for myelopathy secondary to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) or cervical stenosis. The purpose of this report is to compare the results and complications of 45 patients with a least a 2-year follow-up who had undergone anterior fusion, cervical laminectomy, or cervical laminoplasty for the surgical management of multiple level cervical radiculopathy due to cervical spondylosis. 18 patients (58 levels) underwent anterior fusion, 12 patients (38 levels) had a cervical laminectomy, and 15 patients (57 levels) underwent a cervical laminoplasty. Roentgenograms indicated spinal stenosis (sagittal diameter less than 12 mm) at 28 levels (15 patients) for the anterior fusion group, 14 levels (9 patients) in the laminectomy group, and 24 levels (13 patients) in the laminoplasty group. Subluxation (2 mm or less) was present at 14 levels (13 patients) in the anterior fusion group, nine levels (9 patients) in the laminectomy group, and 15 levels (8 patients) in the laminoplasty group. Loss of lordosis was present in eight patients undergoing anterior fusion, six patients undergoing laminectomy, and six patients who had a laminoplasty.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

应用颈椎螺旋融合器前后路一次性手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的：对合并发育性颈椎管狭窄的严重的多节段颈椎间盘突出及不稳的脊髓型颈椎患者应用颈椎螺旋融合器前后路一次性手术治疗,并进行分析,方法：对7例哈 并发育性颈椎管狭窄的多节段颈椎间盘突出及不稳的脊髓型颈椎病患者先行后路颈椎单开门椎板成形术或颈椎 切除减压术,然后前路行颈椎间盘,骨赘切除减压颈椎螺旋融合器植入术,术后采用日本整形外科学会标准17分法进行测评,结果：平均随访时间12个月,7例患者术后均有不同程度皮肤感觉改善和四肢肌力提高,其中2例大小便障碍者括约肌功能恢复,脊髓功能的平均改善率为76．2％,结论：本手术方法减压彻底,具有安全性,颈椎螺旋融合器的应用解决了颈椎间稳定性问题。     

Laminectomy and posterior cervical plating for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: effects on cervical alignment,spinal cord compression,and neurological outcome

OBJECTIVE: Multilevel anterior decompressive procedures for cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament may be associated with a high incidence of neurological morbidity, construct failure, and pseudoarthrosis. We theorized that laminectomy and stabilization of the cervical spine with lateral mass plates would obviate the disadvantages of anterior decompression, prevent the development of kyphotic deformity frequently seen after uninstrumented laminectomy, decompress the spinal cord, and produce neurological results equal or superior to those achieved by multilevel anterior procedures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 38 patients who underwent laminectomy and lateral mass plating for cervical spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament between January 1994 and November 2001. Seventy-six percent of patients had spondylosis, 18% had ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and 5% had both. Clinical presentation included upper extremity sensory complaints (89%), gait difficulty (70%), and hand use deterioration (67%). Spasticity was present in 83%, and weakness of one or more muscle groups was seen in 79%. Spinal cord signal abnormality on sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was seen in 68%. Neurological evaluation was performed using a modification of the Japanese Orthopedic Association Scale for functional assessment of myelopathy, the Cooper Scale for separate evaluation of upper and lower extremity motor function, and a five-point scale for evaluation of strength in individual muscle groups. Lateral cervical spine x-rays were analyzed using a curvature index to determine maintenance of alignment. Each surgically decompressed level was graded on a four-point scale using axial MRI to assess the adequacy of decompression. Late follow-up was conducted by telephone interview. RESULTS: Laminectomy was performed at a mean 4.6 levels. Follow-up was obtained at a mean of 30.2 months after the procedure. The score on the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scale improved in 97% of patients from a mean of 12.9 preoperatively to 15.58 postoperatively (P < 0.0001). In the upper extremities, function measured by the Cooper Scale improved from 1.8 to 0.7 (P < 0.0001), and in the lower extremities, function improved from 1.0 to 0.4 (P < 0.0002). There was a statistically significant improvement in strength in the triceps (P < 0.0001), iliopsoas (P < 0.0002), and hand intrinsic muscles (P < 0.0001). X-rays obtained at a mean of 5.9 months after surgery revealed no change in spinal alignment as measured by the curvature index. There was a decrease in the mean preoperative compression grade from 2.46 preoperatively to 0.16 postoperatively (P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between neurological outcome and the presence of spinal cord signal change on T2-weighted MRI scans, patient age, duration of symptoms, or preoperative medical comorbidity. CONCLUSION: Multilevel laminectomy and instrumentation with lateral mass plates is associated with minimal morbidity, provides excellent decompression of the spinal cord (as visualized on MRI), produces immediate stability of the cervical spine, prevents kyphotic deformity, and precludes further development of spondylosis at fused levels. Neurological outcome is equal or superior to multilevel anterior procedures and prevents spinal deformity associated with laminoplasty or noninstrumented laminectomy.     

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: diagnosis and treatment.

The delineation of cervical spondylotic myelopathy as a clinical entity has improved with the development of high-quality cross-sectional neuroradiologic imaging. The natural history of this disorder is usually slow deterioration in a stepwise fashion, with worsening symptoms of gait abnormalities, weakness, sensory changes, and often pain. The diagnosis can usually be made on the basis of findings from the history, physical examination, and plain radiographs, but confirmation by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography and myelography is necessary. Minimal symptoms without hard evidence of gait disturbance or pathologic reflexes warrant nonoperative treatment, but patients with demonstrable myelopathy and spinal cord compression are candidates for operative intervention. Both anterior and posterior approaches have been utilized for surgical treatment of cervical myelopathy. Anterior decompression frequently requires corpectomy at one or more levels and strut grafting with bone from the ilium or fibula. Multilevel laminectomies were initially used for posterior decompression but now are either combined with fusion or replaced by laminoplasty. Any operative technique requires proper patient selection and demands adequate decompression of the canal to effect neurologic improvement. Perioperative complications can be devastating in this group of high-risk patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, but careful attention to detail, meticulous technique, and experience can result in excellent outcomes.     

颈前路椎间盘切除椎间融合器融合术加颈后路单开门术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

[目的]探讨颈椎前路椎间盘切除椎间融合器融合术加颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病在临床上的应用价值。[方法]应用Cervical Cage行颈椎前路椎间盘切除椎间融合术，同时，颈椎后路行单开门椎管扩大成形术11例，平均随访6个月。按40分法和JOA评分对手术前后脊髓功能进行评分，并测量颈椎术前术后前柱高度及椎管宽度和进行相关性分析．[结果]颈椎前路椎间盘切除椎间融合器融合术加颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形术，明显改善脊髓型颈椎病的脊髓功能。40分法平均37分，改善率83％；JOA评分16．5分，改善率91％；前柱高度平均增加1．28mm；椎管宽度平均增加2．22mm。[结论]颈椎前路椎间盘切除椎间融合器融合术加颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形术，有效恢复了颈椎前柱高度、增加椎管宽度，明显改善了脊髓型颈椎病的脊髓功能。     

Posterior surgery for cervical myelopathy: indications, techniques, and outcomes

This article details the controversies associated with the different treatment strategies in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The natural history, incidence, pathophysiology, physical examination, and imaging findings are discussed followed by the indications, techniques, and outcomes of patients treated with posterior cervical decompression via decompressive laminectomy, laminectomy and instrumented fusion, and laminoplasty.     

多节段脊髓型颈椎病术前颈椎曲度对椎管扩大椎板成形术术后神经功能恢复影响

目的探讨多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者术前颈椎曲度与椎管扩大椎板成形术术后神经功能之间的相关性。方法选取2013年1月—2015年12月在第二军医大学附属长征医院实施椎管扩大椎板成形术的70例多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者作为研究对象进行回顾性分析。按照患者术前X线片中的颈椎曲度将患者分为曲度正常组(A组)、曲度变直组(B组)、轻度曲度后凸组(C组),比较3组患者术后各节段脊髓后移距离、神经功能恢复率,并探讨术前颈椎曲度、术后脊髓后移距离与神经功能恢复率之间的相关性。结果 3组患者术后各节段脊髓后移距离组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。3组患者术前、术后的组间日本骨科学会(JOA)评分、神经功能恢复率差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);与术前相比,术后3组患者的JOA评分均明显增高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。颈椎曲度与神经功能恢复率、脊髓后移距离之间无相关性。结论术前颈椎曲度变直及轻度后凸的多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者在实施椎管扩大椎板成形术后脊髓神经功能均可改善,曲度变直及轻度后凸可能不再是多节段脊髓型颈椎病行椎管扩大椎板成形术的禁忌证。