Cervical & Craniocervical Junction Disorders

Disorders of the cervical spine and especially at the craniocervical junction demand specialized approaches for decompression and stabilization. Minimally invasive endoscopic approaches are also being developed for these disorders.

Case Study

This 73-year old man had difficulty with walking for several months. Upon examination, he had mild weakness in his arms and legs. He underwent a C2-C4 laminectomy with lateral mass plate, screw and wire fixation. The patient improved significantly after the operation. Laminectomy is the process of removing or trimming the lamina (roof) of the vertebrae to create more space for the nerves and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerve.

MRI of the cervical spine (below) showed a misalignment (subluxation) of the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae (C2 and C3).