INTRODUCTION: Cervical spinal stenosis has become more common because of the aging of the population. There remains much uncertainty about the options for surgical treatment and their indications, particularly in cases of cervical myelopathy. METHODS: In order to provide guidance in clinical decision-making, the authors selectively reviewed the literature, according to the guidelines of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany. RESULTS: Cervical myelopathy is a clinical syndrome due to dysfunction of the spinal cord. Its most common cause is spinal cord compression by spondylosis at one or more levels. Its spontaneous clinical course is variable; most patients undergo a slow functional deterioration. Surgical treatment reliably arrests the progression of myelopathy and often even improves the neurological deficits. DISCUSSION: The available scientific data are too sparse to enable evidence-based treatment of cervical myelopathy. Early surgical intervention is often recommended in the literature. Controversy remains regarding the choice of the appropriate surgical procedure, but there is consensus on the suitable options for many specific clinical situations.
INTRODUCTION: Cervical spinal stenosis has become more common because of the aging of the population. There remains much uncertainty about the options for surgical treatment and their indications, particularly in cases of cervical myelopathy. METHODS: In order to provide guidance in clinical decision-making, the authors selectively reviewed the literature, according to the guidelines of the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany. RESULTS:Cervical myelopathy is a clinical syndrome due to dysfunction of the spinal cord. Its most common cause is spinal cord compression by spondylosis at one or more levels. Its spontaneous clinical course is variable; most patients undergo a slow functional deterioration. Surgical treatment reliably arrests the progression of myelopathy and often even improves the neurological deficits. DISCUSSION: The available scientific data are too sparse to enable evidence-based treatment of cervical myelopathy. Early surgical intervention is often recommended in the literature. Controversy remains regarding the choice of the appropriate surgical procedure, but there is consensus on the suitable options for many specific clinical situations.
Authors: Zdenek Kadanka; Miroslav Mares; Josef Bednaník; Vladimír Smrcka; Martin Krbec; Lubor Stejskal; Richard Chaloupka; Dagmar Surelová; Oldrich Novotný; Igor Urbánek; Ladislav Dusek Journal: Spine (Phila Pa 1976) Date: 2002-10-15 Impact factor: 3.468
Authors: Marc Hohenhaus; Karl Egger; Jan-Helge Klingler; Ulrich Hubbe; Marco Reisert; Katharina Wolf Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-09-03 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Kathryn T Weber; D Olivier Alipui; Cristina P Sison; Ona Bloom; Shaheda Quraishi; M Chris Overby; Mitchell Levine; Nadeen O Chahine Journal: Arthritis Res Ther Date: 2016-01-07 Impact factor: 5.156