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Myeloradicular damage in traumatic cervical disc herniation.
A Bucciero1, B Carangelo, A Cerillo
1Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences
|July 15, 1999
Summary
Surgery for traumatic cervical disc herniation offers satisfactory outcomes for radiculopathy, with most patients regaining prior activities. Myelopathy results are less consistent, though many experience symptom relief.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Traumatic disc herniation literature is extensive, yet opinions vary on its frequency, pathogenesis, and management.
- This study contributes to understanding by reporting a series of traumatic cervical disc herniations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate surgical outcomes for traumatic cervical disc herniation.
- To assess the efficacy of anterior discectomy in patients with radicular and medullary symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A series of 41 patients with traumatic cervical disc herniations underwent anterior discectomy between 1986 and 1994.
- Patients presented with radicular syndrome (63.4%), medullary symptoms (7.3%), or myeloradiculopathy (29.3%).
- Cervical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to identify cord compression and signal changes.
Main Results:
- Complete relief of radiculopathy symptoms was achieved in 71% of patients; 29% had minor deficits.
- Myelopathy resolved completely in 73.3% of cases, with partial improvement in one patient.
- No bone grafting was performed during the discectomy procedure.
Conclusions:
- Anterior discectomy for traumatic cervical radiculopathy yields satisfactory results, with high rates of return to prior activities.
- Surgical outcomes for myelopathy are less predictable, with approximately 73% experiencing total symptom relief in this series.
- Further research may clarify optimal management strategies for traumatic cervical disc herniation with myelopathy.