The clinical presentation of uppermost cervical disc protrusion

The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical presentation of the C2-C3 cervical herniation disc.

Uppermost cervical disc protrusion is an uncommon condition. The pattern of large central fragments of nucleus impinging on the highest cervical disc region is often poorly localized according to its clinical presentation.

Eight patients treated with anterior cervical discectomy with fusion for C2-C3 disc herniation participated in a detailed clinical and radiologic review to determine early detection and clarify potential hazards. Each patient's neurologic function was tested and recorded successively by a team of physicians and qualified physiotherapists.

Reviewing the symptomatology, most patients presented ascending radicular symptoms secondary to trivial trauma, characterized by suboccipital pain, loss of hand dexterity, and paresthesia over face and unilateral lateral arm. Six (75%) patients had remarkable improvement postoperatively in neurologic function, except for some residual sensory embarrassment in at least 6 months follow-up.

Clinical neurologic examination provides a less precise anatomic basis, to point to a particular upper cervical disc protrusion. Nonspecific neck and shoulder pain, a variety of cervical radiculopathy, and myelopathy may present. However, this rare spondylotic pattern is usually characterized by impairment of motor and sensory function more in the upper extremities than lower extremities and mostly starting following trauma. Radiculopathy generally outweighs the cord sign. Cruciate paralysis associated with vague diffuse and patch regions of hypesthesia over perioral distribution may help to localize this upper cervical lesion. The present study demonstrates that early detection and adequate anterior decompression may provide excellent outcome.