Diagnosis and treatments for anterior spinal artery syndrome induced by cervical disc herniation / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To discuss the diagnosis,treatments and the outcome of anterior spinal artery syndrome induced by cervical disc herniation.[Methods]Eighteen patients(male 13,female 5,average age 35.6 years old) were diagnozed to experience cervical disc herniation by MRI scans.All the patients presented with severe motor paralysis with loss of sensation to pain and temperature but sparing of proprioceptive sensation,which was just like the clinical features of anterior spinal artery syndrome.The average preoperative JOA score was 7.6 points,ranged from 4 to 10.Anterior cervical decompression with fusion was performed on 17 patients within 15 days.Spinal canal occupation was found in 1 case.Posterior approach treatment was not effective and anterior approach decompression was performed 1 year later.[Results]All these patients were followed up for an average of 15 months(12 to 24 months).Seventeen patients had a good outcome.The postoperative JOA score ranged from 7 to 15 points(13.4 in average) and the mean JOA recovery ratio was 61.7%.All the patients recovered with no complication.[Conclusion]A herniated cervical disc can compress the spinal anterior artery and involve with anterior spinal artery syndrome.It can be final diagnozed with clinical features and MRI scans.The outcome is satisfactory when an early and complete anterior decompression with fusion is performed.