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Cervicogenic headache: long-term postoperative follow-up.
T A Fredriksen1, R Salvesen, A Stolt-Nielsen
1Department of Neurosurgery, Trondheim University Hospitals, Regionsykehuset i Trondheim, Norway.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|February 11, 2000
Summary
A 50-year-old female experienced chronic right head and neck pain after trauma. Cervical spine stabilization surgery at C5-C6 provided significant relief, resolving most symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Cervical Spine Surgery
- Pain Management
Background:
- Chronic right-sided head and neck pain initiated by indirect neck trauma in a 50-year-old female.
- Previous treatments including greater occipital nerve (GON) liberation and C2 ganglion/root decompression provided only transient relief.
Observation:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine at age 42 revealed a degenerated C5-C6 disc with foraminal and spinal cord encroachment.
- Surgical intervention involved C5-C6 stabilization using the Robinson-Smith technique.
Findings:
- The C5-C6 stabilization surgery significantly alleviated the patient's head and neck pain.
- Residual motor complaints in the ipsilateral upper extremity resolved within 12-18 months post-surgery.
Implications:
- Cervical spine stabilization can be an effective treatment for chronic head and neck pain secondary to degenerative disc disease.
- Surgical intervention for specific cervical spine pathologies can lead to long-term pain resolution and functional recovery.