Cervical Radiculopathy Focus on Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis

Abstract

Cervical radiculopathy is characterized by neurological dysfunction caused by compression and inflammation of the spinal nerves or nerve roots of the cervical spine. It mainly presents with neck and arm pain, sensory loss, motor dysfunction, and reflex changes according to the dermatomal distribution. The most common causes of cervical radiculopathy are cervical disc herniation and cervical spondylosis. It is important to find the exact symptomatic segment and distinguish between conditions that may mimic certain cervical radicular compression syndromes through meticulous physical examinations and precise reading of radiographs. Non-surgical treatments are recommended as an initial management. Surgery is applicable to patients with intractable or persistent pain despite sufficient conservative management or with severe or progressive neurological deficits. Cervical radiculopathy is treated surgically by anterior and/or posterior approaches. The appropriate choice of surgical treatment should be individualized, considering the patient’s main pathophysiology, specific clinical symptoms and radiographic findings thoroughly.

Anterior Plate-Screws and Lower Postoperative T1 Slope Affect Cervical Allospacer Failures in Multi-Level ACDF Surgery: Anterior Versus Posterior Fixation

“…22 In a recent study, Woo et al noted graft collapse in 28.8% and subsidence in 4.5% of patients who underwent 2-level ACDF. 25,26 In a biomechanical study comparing stress distribution and subsidence risk of APS, LMS, and PPS techniques, PPS gave the best mechanical stability, showing equal distributions of stress on the construct. 10 The buttress effect of anterior plate and screws prevents collapse between the vertebral body and allospacers.…”

Delayed onset postoperative retropharyngeal hematoma after anterior cervical surgery with a sequela of tracheal stricture: a case report

“…ACDF is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures for managing degenerative cervical diseases or trauma [ 1 , 2 ]. Approximately more than 90% of patients reported being satisfied with the clinical and radiological results following ACDF.…”

“…Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), one of the most common anterior cervical surgeries, has been widely used for patients with degenerative cervical diseases or trauma, and it achieved satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes [ 1 ]. Several postoperative complications after ACDF, however, can occur.…”

“…Several postoperative complications after ACDF, however, can occur. A high index of suspicion and special attention are needed to avoid life-threatening complications, such as airway compromise due to acute onset of postoperative retropharyngeal hematoma [ 1 , 2 ]. According to previous studies, acute-onset postoperative retropharyngeal hematoma usually occurs 6 to 72 h after surgery [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Handgrip Strength Correlated with Falling Risk in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

“…As the general condition of the patients is related to the preoperative and postoperative recovery of function, the overall condition of the patients is an important factor [ 42 , 43 ]. Additionally, we included more severe spondylotic myeloradiculopathic cases that had undergone combined anterior–posterior surgery [ 44 , 45 , 46 ], and as such the rate of combined anterior–posterior surgeries was much higher than that in another study [ 5 ]. Moreover, we report not only actual falls but also the objective measures of functional mobility tests and HGS, which all affect patient subjective symptoms.…”