C5 palsy after insertion of a winged expandable cervical cage: a case report and literature review

C5 nerve root palsy is a well-known complication after anterior or posterior cervical decompression. Many theories have been proposed but the etiology is still unclear. The use of a winged expandable cage after single or multiple corpectomy is among the used techniques in reconstructing the cervical spine. Herein we report a case of C5 palsy after a three-level corpectomy and reconstruction using this device for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. In our case the preexisting foraminal stenosis, wide anterior decompression and partial improvement of cervical alignment were factors supposed contributing to the palsy.