Congenitally Fused Cervical Spine Is Associated With Adjacent-Level Degeneration in the Absence of Cervical Spine Surgery.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cervical fusion surgery is associated with adjacent-level degeneration, but surgical and technical factors are difficult to dissociate from the mechanical effects of the fusion itself.

Objective

To determine the effect of fusion on adjacent-level degeneration in unoperated patients using a cohort of patients with congenitally fused cervical vertebrae.

Methods

We identified 96 patients with incidental single-level cervical congenital fusion on computed tomography imaging. We compared these patients to an age-matched control cohort of 80 patients without congenital fusion. We quantified adjacent-level degeneration through direct measurements of intervertebral disk parameters as well as the validated Kellgren & Lawrence classification scale for cervical disk d

SUBMITTER: Friedman GN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10319372 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature