Postoperative myelography in spondylotic cervical myelopathy

Summary Thirty-five patients operated for myelopathy caused by cervical spondylosis were followed up from one to ten years. Of these patients 23 had posterior decompressive laminectomy and 12 had anterior intervertebral exploration followed by fusion. Satisfactory results were obtained in 76.9 percent after anterior operation and 72.3 percent after extensive decompressive laminectomy but the relative incidence of return to normal neurological status was higher in patients operated by the anterior approach. The preoperative myelograms of 21 patients (10 operated by anterior approach and 11 by laminectomy) were compared with postoperative myelograms. Several types of postoperative changes are described and correlated to the clinical symptoms. In the great majority of cases myelopathy seemed to be attributed to mechanical compression.