Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis: a systematic review

Abstract

Purpose Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis has received insufficient attention, in contrast to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. In fact, degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis may be more common than previously thought. Methods In order to provide appropriate guidelines for the treatment of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis, a systematic review of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis was performed. An English literature search from January 1947 to November 2010 was completed with reference to radiological examination and management of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis. Results Of 102 patients with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis, 52 patients (51%) had neck or occipital pain, 23 patients (22.5%) were referred with radiculopathy and 65 patients (63.7%) presented with myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy. Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis was most common in C3/4 and C4/5, occurring in 81 patients at C3/4 (46%) and 87 at C4/5 (49.4%). Disc degeneration and facet hypertrophy were the main causes of this clinical entity. Of 123 patients, 57 (46.3%) were found to have segmental instability as shown by flexion-extension lateral radiographs. There are two classification systems for degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis. Surgery was indicated in patients who had radiologically proven cervical spondylolisthesis with instability and/or spinal cord compression. Conclusion Prospective studies should be designed in the future to draw a more reliable conclusion about the management of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis.

Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of facet tropism and facet arthrosis in degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis

“…Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis is a common condition in the elderly, but it has received far less attention than degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (Jiang et al, 2011). One explanation could be that many patients are diagnosed with severe cervical spine deformities late in life, and when a deformity occurs, one does not necessarily conclude that spondylolisthesis was the primary cause (Woiciechowsky et al, 2004).…”

Posterior Correction Surgery of Progressive Degenerative Cervical Spondylolisthesis - A Case Report

“…The main causes of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis are arthrosis of the facet joints, disc degeneration and cervical sagittal mal-alignment [4]. Increased stress with flexion and extension may damage the disc and ligaments, allowing slippage to occur [5,6]. However, our chronological radiographs suggested that thinning of the facets and narrowing of the joint space may be the primary cause of degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis rather than the disc involvement.…”

Nontraumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Axis with Cervical Kyphosis

“…The most frequently involved levels were C3/4 (46%) and C4/5 (49.4%). In contrast, the cervical spondylolisthesis occurring at C2/3 was reported to less frequent (6.8%) [6]. We presented a 49-year-old patient with nontraumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis and cervical kyphosis.…”