Cervical compressive myelopathy: surgical treatment

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Cervical compressive myelopathy: surgical treatment. Progression of signs and symptoms. Fully referenced neurology checklist.

Indications for surgical treatment

  • Progression of signs and symptoms
  • Myelopathy present for ≥6 months
  • Persistent radiculopathy unresponsive to physiotherapy and immobilization
  • Compression ratio approaching 0.4
  • Severe pain
  • Severely impaired function
  • Rapid deterioration
  • Cord compression with progressive neurological deficit

Goals of surgery

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Techniques

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Outcome

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Synonym

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References

  1. Law MD, Bernhardt M, White AA. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a review of surgical indications and decision making. Yale J Biol Med 1993; 66:165-177.
  2. Emery SE. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Oryhop Surg 2001; 9:376-388.
  3. McCormick WE, Steinmetz MP, Benzel EC. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: make the difficult diagnosis, then refer for surgery. Cleve Clin J Med 2003; 70:899-904.
  4. Komotar RJ, Mocco J, Kaiser MG. Surgical management of cervical myelopathy: indications and techniques for laminectomy and fusion. Spine J 2006; 6(Suppl):252S-267S.
  5. Fouyas IP, Sandercock PAG, Statham PFX, Nikolaides I. How beneficial is surgery for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy? BMJ 2010; 343:c3108.
  6. And 3 more. Subscribe to see the full list

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