[Fluorotic cervical spinal cord disease].

Skeletal fluorosis was reported as a disease endemic to an area in the Madras Presidency of Indian in 1937 and prior to this, it was known as an occasional disease. There are two endemic areas in India, one in Punjab and the other in Andhra Pradesh State. This disease is also endemic in some parts of China and Africa. The manual labourers are more frequently affected as they consume huge quantities of water with high fluoride levels. The cervical spine is often affected, manifesting as cord compression. Forty cases of fluorotic cervical cord compression, who underwent surgery are studied regarding their clinical features, radiological aspects and outcome following surgery. In selected cases of cervical fluorotic myelopathy, surgical decompression appears to be necessary and also rewarding.