PURPOSE: Non-traumatic cervical chronic joint instability in young adults is a rare and underexplored entity. We assessed the diagnostic relevance of dynamic MRI, and the clinical and radiological outcome after anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF) in these cases. METHODS: Six young patients (mean age 34 years) with cervical myelopathy without compression on static imaging had a dynamic MRI. Joint instability was defined by a reduction of the canal diameter on dynamic sequences. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed after surgery by examination, cervical X-rays, static and dynamic MRI. RESULTS: All the patients had joint instability. Four patients underwent surgery. Clinical status improved 1 year after surgery. All patients had a satisfactory fusion at 6-month follow-up and no residual compression at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MRI can help detect a joint instability in young patients with cervical myelopathy without compression. ACIF seems to be efficient in these cases.
PURPOSE:Non-traumatic cervical chronic joint instability in young adults is a rare and underexplored entity. We assessed the diagnostic relevance of dynamic MRI, and the clinical and radiological outcome after anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF) in these cases. METHODS: Six young patients (mean age 34 years) with cervical myelopathy without compression on static imaging had a dynamic MRI. Joint instability was defined by a reduction of the canal diameter on dynamic sequences. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed after surgery by examination, cervical X-rays, static and dynamic MRI. RESULTS: All the patients had joint instability. Four patients underwent surgery. Clinical status improved 1 year after surgery. All patients had a satisfactory fusion at 6-month follow-up and no residual compression at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MRI can help detect a joint instability in young patients with cervical myelopathy without compression. ACIF seems to be efficient in these cases.
Authors: Fraser C Henderson; Jennian F Geddes; Alexander R Vaccaro; Eric Woodard; K Joel Berry; Edward C Benzel Journal: Neurosurgery Date: 2005-05 Impact factor: 4.654
Authors: C Muhle; J Metzner; D Weinert; A Falliner; G Brinkmann; M H Mehdorn; M Heller; D Resnick Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 1998-10 Impact factor: 3.825