Artikel
The incidence of C5-C6 radiculopathy as a complication of extensive cervical decompression
Die Inzidenz der C5-C6 Läsion als Komplikation von langstreckigen zervikalen Dekompressionen
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Autoren
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R. Greiner-Perth
- Klinik für Wirbelsäulenchirurgie, orthopädische Chirurgie und Neurotraumatologie, SRH Waldklinikum Gera
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Y. Allam
- Klinik für Wirbelsäulenchirurgie, orthopädische Chirurgie und Neurotraumatologie, SRH Waldklinikum Gera
| Veröffentlicht: | 8. Mai 2006 |
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Gliederung
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Objective: This study aims to discuss and compare our results with those previously mentioned in the literature as regards the C5-6 radiculopathy that occurs after decompression done for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
Methods: From January 1994 to November 2002, 121 patients underwent cervical corpectomies for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The preoperative and the postoperatively discovered paresis have been assessed according to the criteria of the British Medical Council. The Nurick Scale was used to grade the severity of the myelopathic changes.
Results: The follow-up period varied from 4 to 111 months with an average of 50 months. Symptoms of C5 and/or C6 radiculopathy appeared in 10 patients (8.2%) postoperatively. Aggravation of a preoperative C5 and/or C6 radiculopathy was seen in three patients, while seven patients developed a new C5 and/or C6 radiculopathy at the immediate postoperative period. These motor deficits resolved completely in seven patients within seven months after the surgery, whereas a residual motor weakness remained in the other three patients.
Conclusions: The postoperative C5 motor deficit is not infrequently associated with partial involvement of the C6 root. The lesions can be either unilateral or bilateral with an statistically average frequency of 8%. The prognosis is generally favorable. Our results did not support the claimed cord shift phenomenon to be a possible aetiology.
