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Cervical arthroplasty complicated by delayed spontaneous fusion. Case report
Jonathon F Parkinson1, Lali H S Sekhon
1Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Injuries Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, Australia.
Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine
|March 31, 2005
Summary
A rare case of bone fusion occurred after cervical disc arthroplasty in a 55-year-old woman, despite the implant
Area of Science:
- Spine surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Cervical radiculopathy and neck pain can result from cervical disc/osteophyte compression.
- Anterior cervical decompression with disc prosthesis is a surgical option for such conditions.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old woman with C-6 radiculopathy underwent C5-6 anterior cervical decompression and Bryan disc prosthesis placement.
- Postoperative imaging showed loss of motion at the instrumented level.
- The patient experienced persistent neck and arm pain.
Findings:
- Seventeen months post-surgery, osseous fusion was observed across the interspace and posterior surface of the Bryan disc prosthesis.
- This represents the first documented case of fusion at a cervical arthroplasty site.
- The exact cause of this fusion phenomenon remains unclear.
Implications:
- This rare complication of cervical arthroplasty necessitates careful, long-term patient follow-up.
- Potential contributing factors may include patient-specific issues, reduced motion due to pain, or implant-related factors.
- Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for refining cervical disc replacement techniques and patient selection.