Surgical Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Lee, Kee Byoung; Park, In Heon; Song, Kyoung Won; Lee, Eung Joo; Lee, Jun Sung

Abstract

Myelopathy or dysfunction of the spinal cord, can be caused by degenerative processes of the cervical vertebrae. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy can be divided into five distinct syndromes on the basis of clinical presentation by Ferguson. Absolute indication for surgery is the progression of neurologic deficit. Decompression may be achieved using an anterior, posterior, or a combined approach, but each patient has unique clinical conditions that require individualized treatment. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the operative results by the clinical manifestation. In evaluating the results, the evaluation system established by the Japanese Orthopedic Association was employed. The average preoperative score in the 14 patient was 8.7 points and the average postoperative score was 12.7 points. The better results have been obtained for those who were managed with decompression within 1 year after onset of symptoms and those who had lateral type. In conclusion, the prognosis for the recovery of the spinal cord function is related with the onset of clinical symptoms and degree of neurological deterioration, so early detection and operative decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy may be the best method for the prevention of those unwanted and potentially devastating neurological deteriorations.