Interspinous Wiring
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Interspinous wiring techniques were developed as a means of stabilizing traumatic cervical injuries. Although increasingly replaced by newer technologies, such as lateral mass screws and pedicle…
Primary Bony Tumors of the Cervical Spine
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Most lesions in the cervical spine are metastatic; primary bone tumors are rare. The goals of treatment vary from palliation to cure. It is vital to…
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cervical Spine
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is instrumental in evaluation of symptomatic cervical spine degeneration and guidance of surgical treatment. In the setting of trauma, MRI can help…
Syringomyelia
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Partial obstruction of the subarachnoid space can be identified as the underlying cause of syringomyelia in almost all patients: tonsillar descent causes this in Chiari malformation–related…
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Cervical Spine
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory polyarthritis that often involves the joints of the upper and subaxial cervical spine. The common spinal manifestations include atlantoaxial…
Stingers and Transient Paresis
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Cervical cord neurapraxia and stingers can create significant angst in players, coaches, families, and spectators. Avoidance of permanent injury is tantamount. Effective postinjury management of the…
Laminectomy and Fusion
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Symptomatic cervical myelopathy from multilevel spinal cord compression in older patients is an increasing clinical problem. Multilevel anterior cervical surgical procedures carry significant morbidity. The posterior…
Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) comprises a common procedure used to treat cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy. Excellent results can be achieved through careful patient…
Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) has unique characteristics in multiple lesions from the cervical spine to the lumbar spine and in its gradual extension…
Ankylosing Spondylitis of the Cervical Spine
Chapter Preview Chapter Synopsis Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a disease of unknown origin that is characterized by inflammation of the axial skeleton. It affects the cervical spine in many patients…
