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Semin Neurol 2002; 22(2): 143-148
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-36537
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Cervical Myelopathy Associated with Degenerative Spine Disease and Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Meic H. Schmidt1 , Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa2 , William S. Rosenberg3
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 2Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California
  • 3Midwest Neurosurgery Associates, Kansas City, Missouri
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
13 January 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament are two of the leading etiologies of spinal cord damage in older patients. For most patients, the natural history is one of slow stepwise decline in function. With nonsurgical therapy only 30 to 50% of patients are expected to stabilize. Surgical options include anterior and posterior surgical decompression, spinal canal expansion, and spinal column stabilization. Prospective, randomized trials with standardized outcome measures are needed to clarify the benefit of surgery conclusively.

KEYWORDS

Cervical myelopathy - ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament - cervical spondylotic myelopathy - surgery

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