Degenerative changes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion evaluated by fast spin-echo MR imaging

To review pre- and postoperative fast spin-echo (FSE) MR images of disc herniation and spondylosis in patients after spinal cervical surgery.

Data were reviewed of 68 patients after anterior discectomy and fusion (ADF) operations using the Cloward technique with solid single level (C5-C6 or C6-C7) or 2-level fusions (C5-C7). The average interval from surgery to review was 37 months. Age- and sex-matched controls without neck problems were examined.

Preoperatively, the fusion groups had a higher incidence of protruded disc, and anterior and posterior osteophytes at the levels to be fused than the controls. Post-operatively, there was a significantly higher incidence of posterior osteophytes at the fused levels compared with the controls. Furthermore, the disc herniations and anterior osteophytes at the levels above and below the operated segments were more frequent in the fusion group.

ADF causes acceleration of the degenerative changes at the fused level and at the levels below and above the fused segments.