Atul Goel1, Arjun Dhar2, Abhidha Shah2. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India. Electronic address: atulgoel62@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of multisegmental spinal instability in the pathogenesis of Hirayama disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 2014 to January 2016, the authors managed 5 patients with Hirayama disease. The patients were diagnosed on the basis of classical described radiologic and clinical guidelines. All 5 patients were treated with multilevel cervical fixation that included fixation of the atlantoaxial joint in 4 patients by the adoption of the facetal fixation methods. No dural or bone decompression was performed. The follow-up ranged from 7 to 26 months (average 17.6 months). RESULTS: The most remarkable feature was an immediate postoperative and progressive improvement in the symptoms of weakness, wasting, and deformity of hands in all patients. The other remarkable feature was an immediate postoperative reduction in extradural mass in all patients and its complete disappearance in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: From the observations, it appears that atlantoaxial and subaxial spinal instability plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Hirayama disease.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of multisegmental spinal instability in the pathogenesis of Hirayama disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 2014 to January 2016, the authors managed 5 patients with Hirayama disease. The patients were diagnosed on the basis of classical described radiologic and clinical guidelines. All 5 patients were treated with multilevel cervical fixation that included fixation of the atlantoaxial joint in 4 patients by the adoption of the facetal fixation methods. No dural or bone decompression was performed. The follow-up ranged from 7 to 26 months (average 17.6 months). RESULTS: The most remarkable feature was an immediate postoperative and progressive improvement in the symptoms of weakness, wasting, and deformity of hands in all patients. The other remarkable feature was an immediate postoperative reduction in extradural mass in all patients and its complete disappearance in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: From the observations, it appears that atlantoaxial and subaxial spinal instability plays a major role in the pathogenesis of Hirayama disease.