Extent of Disc Degeneration after Single-Level Cervical Anterior Microforaminotomy Analyzed with Long-Term Radiological Data.
10.3340/jkns.2014.56.3.200
- Author:
Chul HAN
1
;
Myung Hyun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Microforaminotomy;
Disc height;
Disc invasion;
Disc degeneration
- MeSH:
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration*;
Neck;
Radiculopathy;
Retrospective Studies;
Visual Analog Scale
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2014;56(3):200-205
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To prove the extents and details of cervical degeneration after anterior microforaminotomy (AMF) with 6-years follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective study of 24 patients, underwent single-level AMF, was performed. Clinical and radiologic data were analyzed with office charts, questionaires, and picture achieving and communication system images. RESULTS: According to Odom's criteria, 91.6% achieved favorable outcome. The mean visual analog scale score was improved from 8.6 to 3, and the mean neck disability index was improved from 27.9 to 7.3 (p<0.01). Eighteen cases (75%) showed disc height (DH) decrease. The disc invasion was correlated with DH decrease (p<0.05). The disc height decrease correlated with static, dynamic changes of shell angle and spur formation (p<0.05). Any radiological parameters did not affect the clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: AMF is an effective technique for treating unilateral cervical radiculopathy. It showed excellent surgical outcomes even in long-term follow-ups. However, a decrease in DH occurred in a considerable number of patients. Disc invasion during surgery may be the trigger of sequential degeneration.
