OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology and treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis (SCS). METHODS: Twenty patients who with SCS had undergone operations for sympathetic cervical spondylosis were reviewed retrospectively from 1988 to 2000. Lateral views in flexion and extension of pre- and postoperative cervical X-ray were analyzed to quantify cervical instability. RESULTS: Cervical instability was detected at one level in seven patients, two levels in ten patients, three levels in three. Cervical instability mainly occurred at C(3)-C(4) and C(4)-C(5). Cervical epidural block had a short time effect in the greater part of patients. Cervical discectomy and fusion at unstable segment was carried out in all 20 cases. The effective rate was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical instability at C(3)-C(4) or C(4)-C(5) maybe an important factor in the etiology of sympathetic cervical spondylosis. Cervical epidural block may provide diagnostic information. Anterior cervical fusion were effective to treat sympathetic cervical spondylosis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology and treatment of sympathetic cervical spondylosis (SCS). METHODS: Twenty patients who with SCS had undergone operations for sympathetic cervical spondylosis were reviewed retrospectively from 1988 to 2000. Lateral views in flexion and extension of pre- and postoperative cervical X-ray were analyzed to quantify cervical instability. RESULTS: Cervical instability was detected at one level in seven patients, two levels in ten patients, three levels in three. Cervical instability mainly occurred at C(3)-C(4) and C(4)-C(5). Cervical epidural block had a short time effect in the greater part of patients. Cervical discectomy and fusion at unstable segment was carried out in all 20 cases. The effective rate was 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical instability at C(3)-C(4) or C(4)-C(5) maybe an important factor in the etiology of sympathetic cervical spondylosis. Cervical epidural block may provide diagnostic information. Anterior cervical fusion were effective to treat sympathetic cervical spondylosis.