Late radiographic findings after the anterior cervical fusion for the cervical subaxial compressive flexion and vertical compression injuries in young patients

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of patients’ age on the development of radiologic signs of degeneration of adjacent levels after the anterior fusion for the cervical spine injuries. Material and methods. A total of 45 patients who had compressive flexion and vertical compression injuries of the cervical spine (by Ferguson–Allen mechanistic classification) were included in the study. There were 40 male and 5 female patients with a mean age of 31.5 years (range 15–64). These patients were treated with anterior decompression, iliac bone grafting, and anterior plating. Twenty-two patients aged less than 30 years were in the first group; 23 individuals more than 30 years of age were in the second group. A long-term radiologic followup involved assessment of the fusion and examination of the changes at levels immediately above and below the fused vertebrae. Results. Hypermobility of the disc space above the fused vertebra was found in 9 (40.9%) patients from the first group vs. 3 (13%) from the second one (P<0.05). Narrowing and osteophytes of the disc space below the fused vertebra was found in 2 (9.1%) patients from the first group vs. 10 (43.5%) from the second one (P<0.05). Conclusions. Hypermobility of the motion segment above the fused vertebra was found more frequently in patients aged less than 30 years. Narrowing and osteophytes of the disc space below the fused vertebra were found more frequently in older patients.

Clinical Case Report of Expansive Laminoplasty for Cervical Myelopathy Due to Both Disc Herniation and Developmental Cervical Spinal Canal Stenosis in Older Adolescents

“… 13 Hyper-mobility of the segment above the fused vertebra was found more frequently in patients aged <30, and those patients had a higher incidence of developing ASD. 14 Cervical arthroplasty for cervical myelopathy could preserve the motion of the cervical spine, potentially reducing the risk of ASD. 15 However, it was not a viable option in patients with cervical myelopathy due to both disc herniation and developmental cervical spinal canal stenosis.…”

An anatomical study of the suboccipital cavernous sinus and its relationship with the myodural bridge complex

“…The unique anatomy of the suboccipital region makes it one of the most complex regions in the human body (Kontautas et al, 2005). It includes the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial interspaces and contains many important structures, including the suboccipital cavernous sinus (SCS) and the myodural bridge complex (MDBC).…”