Summary
Twenty-two patients with subaxial acute traumatic central cord syndrome (CCS) without
fracture or dislocation who underwent surgery between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed,
retrospectively. There were 13 males and nine females ranging in age from 24 to 84
years (mean 61.2). Falls were the most common injury (68%), followed by motor vehicle
accidents (32%). All patients had dynamic cervical lateral radiographs and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). Cord compression was present in all cases and cervical instability
in 11. Associated pathology included disc herniation in seven patients, cervical spondylosis
(CS) in 11 and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in four.
Anterior decompression and fusion was performed in 12 patients with 1- or 2-level
lesions. Posterior decompression and fusion was performed for multilevel lesions in
11 patients, including one patient who required re-operation. The interval between
injury and surgery ranged from 1 to 37 days (mean 8.0). Postoperatively, all patients improved clinically. We conclude that
surgical management of subaxial acute traumatic CCS without fracture or dislocation
improved neurological status and prevented delayed neurological deterioration in our
patients.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 21,
2004
Received:
December 28,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
