Chapter 17 - Degenerative Conditions of the Cervical Spine

Question 1

How does the disc change with age?

Answer 1

ratio of keratin sulfate to chondroitin sulfate increases and water content decreases

Question 2

Most common levels for cervical rdiculopathy

Answer 2

C6 and C7

Question 3

What complication is unique to cervical disc replacement when compared to ACDF?

Answer 3

Heterotopic ossification in cervical disc replacement at a rate of 15-60%

Use NSAIDs for prophylaxis

Question 4

Indications for anterior vs posterior cervical decompression and fusion in cervical myelopathy

Answer 4

Anterior: cervical myelopathy resulting from one or two disc spaces (up to two motion segments)
Posterior: myelopathy resulting from stenois at more than two motion segments

Question 5

What is a relative contraindication for laminoplasty?

Answer 5

Cervical kyphosis - drift back will not occur as reliably

in the setting of a kyphotic patient who has a posterior compressive lesion, laminoplasty may achieve direct decompression

Question 6

When is a combined anterior/posterior cervical procedure advised?

Answer 6

post laminectomy kyphosis

Question 7

What patient population is OPLL found in most commonly?

Answer 7

Asians

Question 8

Predisposing factors for OPLL?

Answer 8

diabetes, obesity, high salt-low meat diet, poor calcium absorption