Endogenous-lesioned cervical disc herniation: a retrospective review of 9 cases
Zifeng Zhang1, Yushu Bai, Tiesheng Hou
1School of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China. zzfspine@hotmail.com
Insights
Cervical disc herniation can occur without trauma, often due to excessive neck motion or prolonged poor posture. Surgical decompression effectively relieves symptoms and leads to recovery in these cases.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Medicine
Background:
- Cervical disc herniation is typically associated with trauma.
- Understanding non-traumatic causes is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms, clinical features, and surgical outcomes of cervical disc herniation occurring without external trauma.
- To evaluate the efficacy of surgical decompression for non-traumatic cervical disc herniation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 9 patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation between 2004 and 2008 without a history of trauma.
- Review of pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and patient prognosis.
Main Results:
- Herniation was linked to excessive neck motion (endogenous-lesioned injury) in 6 patients.
- The remaining 3 patients had desk jobs with prolonged head-down neck flexion.
- All patients experienced symptom reduction and uneventful recovery after surgical decompression.
Conclusions:
- Cervical disc herniation can manifest without external trauma, often related to repetitive neck strain or posture.
- Surgical decompression is a viable and effective treatment for symptomatic non-traumatic cervical disc herniation, yielding positive patient outcomes.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, and surgical treatment of cervical disc herniation without external trauma. Between 2004 and 2008, 9 patients with cervical disc herniation and no antecedent history of trauma were diagnosed with cervical disc herniation and underwent surgical decompression. Pathogenic mechanisms, clinical presentation, surgical treatment, and prognosis were analyzed retrospectively. In 6 patients, herniation resulted from excessive neck motion rather than from external trauma. An injury from this source is termed an endogenous-lesioned injury. Patients exhibited neurologic symptoms of compression of the cervical spinal cord or nerve roots. In the other 3 patients, no clear cause for the herniation was recorded, but all patients had a desk job with long periods of head-down neck flexion posture. After surgery, all patients experienced a reduction in their symptoms and an uneventful recovery. Cervical disc herniation can occur in the absence of trauma. Surgical decompression is effective at reducing symptoms in these patients, similar to other patients with cervical disc herniation. Surgical treatment may be considered for this disorder when the herniation becomes symptomatic.
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