Postlaminectomy cervical spinal cord compression demonstrated by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. Case report

This 32-year-old man had undergone C3-7 laminectomy for posttraumatic cervical myelopathy associated with spinal canal stenosis. He developed recurrent myelopathy 5 years after the initial operation. Dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated spinal cord compression with diffuse canal stenosis while the neck was in the extended position, whereas no significant stenosis was visualized in the neutral position. Sagittal and axial MR images of the affected levels demonstrated striking changes in the cervical spinal cord configuration. Because of an associated hard osteophyte formation and protruded disc, as well as a hypertrophied posterior longitudinal ligament, an anterior decompression and fusion with plate fixation were performed from C-4 to C-7. The postoperative course was uneventful, with subsequent neurological improvement. It is concluded that dynamic MR imaging aids the search for the cause of recurrent postlaminectomy cervical myelopathy after initial improvement following decompressive surgery.