The degenerative process of cervical spondylosis through acquired narrowing of the spinal canal or segmental hypermobility of the spinal column, either singularly or in combination, may result in injury to the spinal cord or supportive
vasculature.
The
mutifactional character of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) indicates a probable onset and progression of this disease as well as a diversity of clinical manifestations. Although it is recognized that a number of factors, mostly vascular, my
contribute to the pathogenesis of CSM, surgical procedures performed for this condition decompress the spinal cord on the premise that mechanical compression is a major, if not pirmary, causative factor.
For several decades decades, both anterior and posterior spinal decompressive procedures have been performed on CSM patients, who are generally being informed before the operation that the aim of surgery is to stabilize their neurologic condition
and
that actual improvement often cannot be expected.
Over the past 10 years, radical cervical cord decompression via corpectomy has been reported as being more effective than conventional surgery for CSM.
The authors have undertaken a stud of 12 patients who underwent anterior decompressive corpectomy procedures for CSM, which was defined as a myelopathy related to osteophytic overgrowth and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)
in
the
cervical spinal canal causing impingement upon the spinal cord from Mar. 93 to Aug. 95 at Dong Dae Moon Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery. The result was following; man was prevalent in all cases, prognosis was strongly correlated with age,
preoperative neurological state and 7 cases (58%) resulted in excellent group.
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